What channel is Texas Tech vs. Akron on? Time, TV schedule, live stream to watch March Madness Round 1 game

Grant McCasland and Texas Tech were seconds away from the Final Four last NCAA Tournament, losing to the eventual champions Florida thanks to Walter Clayton Jr.'s second half heroics. Though, the Red Raiders have a chance to go on another run in 2026.

Though the Red Raiders lost one of the best players in the country, J.T. Toppin, to a torn ACL, they still have plenty of starpower to boast. Between Christian Anderson, Donovan Atwell and LeJaun Watts, Texas Tech finished the season fourth in the Big 12 and comes into March Madness as a real threat.

Texas Tech gets one of the more intriguing matchups in the first round, facing the MAC champions Akron Zips in a 5-12 matchup. Akron has been red-hot as of late, finishing 17-1 in the MAC in the regular season then winning the conference championship. Behind the MAC's top-scorer Tavari Johnson, the Zips have three more scorers in double digits and can light it up on any given night.

Both of these teams have the potential to make it to the second winning, but that starts with a win on Friday. Will Texas Tech make another run or will the Zips quickly extinguish the Lubbock heat?

Here's what you need to know about Fridays matchup between Team1 and Team2, including broadcast information and start time.

What channel is Texas Tech vs. Akron on today?

• TV channel: truTV
• Live stream: DIRECTV

The Red Raiders and Zips will be the first game on truTV on Friday, with Tom McCarthy, Candace Parker, Dan Bonner and AJ Ross on the call.

Fans looking to stream Texas Tech vs. Akron can watch live on DIRECTV.

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What time is Texas Tech vs. Akron today?

• Date: Friday, March 20
• Time: 12:40 p.m. ET

The NCAA tournament game between Texas Tech and Akron is set to tip off at 12:40 p.m. ET from Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida.

Texas Tech made it all the way to the Elite Eight in 2025 and is looking to get back to the Final Four for the first time since 2019, when it lost to Virginia in the national championship. Akron is looking to win its first NCAA Tournament game since 2013.

Texas Tech vs. Akron radio coverage

• Radio station: SiriusXM

Those looking for the Red Raiders vs. Zips can find it on SiriusXM channel 202.

Listen to every game of the 2026 NCAA men's basketball tournament live on SiriusXM. 

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March Madness bracket 2026

Check the Sporting News NCAA Tournament live bracket for the latest final scores and next-round matchups.

When and where is the Final Four in 2026?

• Date: April 4 and 6
• Location: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis

The 2026 Men's Final Four is set for April 4 and 6 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The semifinals will be played Saturday night and the national championship game is set for Monday night.

The home of the Indianapolis Colts previously hosted the event in 2010, 2015 and 2021 and is set to host again in 2029. Indianapolis previously hosted the Final Four at other facilities in 1980, 1991, 1997, 2000 and 2006.

Only Kansas City has been home to the Final Four more often (10 times), but the last one held there was in 1988. 

March Madness tournament schedule 2026

Here is the round-by-round schedule for the 2026 NCAA men’s basketball tournament:

Related Links

• 2026 March Madness live bracket
• March Madness 2026 schedule, scores
• Latest college basketball news