March Madness certainly lived up to its moniker! Congratulations to Adama Sanogo and the UConn Huskies for winning their fourth national championship! UConn defeated San Diego State on Monday, April 3, to win its first title since 2014. The countdown to next season—and the quest to see if mid-major Florida Atlantic can build off its Final Four run—is officially underway!
There are several streaming options for watching college basketball, including free trial services.
How to stream 2023 college basketball games live with a VPN
Can’t get enough college hoops? Here’s how to make sure you don’t miss a minute of the action:
- Get ExpressVPN.
- Connect to a server location in the U.S.
- Go to Sling TV Blue (40 USD/month), DirecTV Stream (70 USD/month), or YouTube TV (73 USD/month) and use a free trial.
- Tune in and enjoy!
Watching on a computer? For the best streaming experience, be sure to use the ExpressVPN browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, or Edge.
Where to watch college basketball games live
Because the broadcasting rights for March Madness are spread across many different channels, if you want to watch every game, you need a comprehensive service that includes all of them. Sling TV Orange, YouTube TV, and Hulu+Live TV are the top cord-cutting services, and all come with a free trial.
Sling TV Orange
Price: 35 USD/month
Channels: CBS, TBS, TNT, TruTV
Sling TV is a good all-around option for college basketball live streams as it will carry all games except those on CBS (though you can get Paramount Plus as an add-on), and is significantly cheaper than other cord-cutting options. Note that you may need a U.S. credit card or PayPal to subscribe.
DirecTV Stream
Price: 70 USD/month and up
Channels: CBS, TBS, TNT, TruTV
DirecTV Stream is on the pricier side but if you prefer a cord-cutting service over an additional streaming app, it’s a great option as the “Choice” package (90 USD/month) includes college networks from the ACC, Big 10, and SEC. DirecTV offers a 5-day free trial. Note that you may need a U.S. credit card and ZIP code (e.g., 90210 or 10011) to sign up.
Hulu
Price: 65 USD/month
Channels: CBS, TBS, TNT, TruTV
With Hulu+Live TV you’ll be able to live stream just about every NCAA hoops game. Note that you may need a U.S. credit card and ZIP code (e.g., 90210 or 10011) to subscribe. Please note that Hulu does not offer a free trial.
YouTube TV
Price: 73 USD/month
Channels: CBS, TBS, TNT, TruTV
Like Hulu, YouTube TV carries every major network that airs NCAA basketball games, and it offers a 14-day free trial. One extra thing YouTube has going for it is that it’s possible to subscribe to YouTube TV via Google Play, even if you don’t have a U.S. credit/debit card.
Want college hoops on the big screen? Learn about all the ways to get ExpressVPN on your TV.
Stream college basketball games on Paramount Plus
When March Madness begins, Paramount Plus offers every game airing on CBS during the tournament, including the Final Four and national championship game.
To watch college basketball on Paramount Plus:
- Get ExpressVPN.
- Connect to a secure VPN server location in the U.S.
- Sign up for Paramount Plus.
- Enjoy college basketball in crystal clear HD!
College basketball Top 25 rankings
The Associated Press Top 25 releases each Monday during the college basketball season. Here is the most recent AP Top 25 poll.
| Ranking | Team |
| 1. | Alabama (29-5) [48 first-place votes] |
| 2. | Houston (31-3) [nine first-place votes] |
| 3. | Purdue (29-5) [three first-place votes] |
| 4. | Kansas (27-7) |
| 5. | Texas (26-8) |
| 6. | Marquette (28-6) |
| 7. | UCLA (29-5) [one first-place vote] |
| 8. | Arizona (28-6) |
| 9. | Gonzaga (28-5) |
| 10. | UConn (25-8) |
| 11. | Baylor (22-10) |
| 12. | Duke (26-8) |
| 13. | Xavier (25-9) |
| 14. | Virginia (25-7) |
| 15. | Kansas State (23-9) |
| 16. | Miami (FL) (25-7) |
| 17. | Texas A&M (25-9) |
| 18. | San Diego State (27-6) |
| 19. | Saint Mary’s (26-7) |
| 20. | Tennessee (23-10) |
| 21. | Indiana (22-11) |
| 22. | TCU (21-12) |
| 23. | Missouri (24-9) |
| 24. | Memphis (26-8) |
| 25. | Florida Atlantic (31-3) |
The following teams also received votes: Creighton (94), Oral Roberts (58), Kentucky (39), Iowa State (32), VCU 26, Utah State (15), Penn State (11), Charleston (10), West Virginia (2), Drake (2), Kent State (2), Northwestern (2)
2022-23 NCAA basketball calendar
| Date (ET) | Event |
| November 8, 2022 – March 12, 2023 | Regular season |
| March 14, 2023 – April 3, 2023 | Tournament dates |
| April 3, 2023 | NCAA Championship game |
Bronny James: The Decision
LeBron James’s oldest son, Bronny James, is in his senior year of high school, and college basketball programs have been heavily recruiting him.
Although not quite the high school phenom that his dad was, Sierra Canyon High School’s 17-year-old point guard was a role player for his first two seasons until becoming a starter last year. He made an impact this summer, though, averaging 16 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 5.3 assists in six Nike Peach Jam games.
Bronny James is currently ranked 38th in the class of 2023, and according to ESPN has received interest from storied programs including Duke, UCLA, USC, Michigan, Ohio State, and Oregon.
UCLA and USC, both in Los Angeles, might have the best chance to land the prospect considering his father’s presence in L.A. LeBron James recently signed a two-year extension with the Lakers.
If you want to see the next generation in action, ESPN is expected to stream nationally-ranked Sierra Canyon’s games this season, so there should be plenty more opportunities to watch Bronny and his teammates in the coming months.
ExpressVPN is a VPN service not intended to be used as a means of copyright circumvention. Please read the ExpressVPN Terms of Service and your content provider’s Terms of Use for more details.
FAQ: About March Madness 2023
Where will March Madness be held in 2023?
The University of Dayton will host the First Four, with eight arenas holding games in the first and second rounds. Another four venues, including Madison Square Garden, will host the Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight. NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, will host the Final Four and national championship.
What channels will March Madness be on 2023?
March Madness 2023 games will air live on TBS, CBS, TNT, and truTV. Note that Paramount Plus will simulcast the Final Four and national championship games.
How can I watch March Madness for free?
For basketball fans wanting to watch March Madness for free, we suggest taking advantage of YouTube TV’s ongoing 14-day free trial. YouTube TV offers CBS, TBS, TNT, and TruTV. One extra thing YouTube has going for it is that it’s possible to subscribe to YouTube TV via Google Play, even if you don’t have a U.S. credit/debit card.
Can I watch March Madness without a TV provider?
Yes, you can watch March Madness without a TV provider! YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV each offer CBS, TBS, TNT, and TruTV. However, keep in mind that Hulu does NOT offer a free trial.
Can you watch March Madness on the ESPN app?
No, you cannot watch any 2023 men’s March Madness games on ESPN or the ESPN app. However, the ESPN app will have the women’s March Madness tournament.
Can I stream sports on my computer?
Definitely. If you’re accessing the streaming service from a web browser, be sure to also install the ExpressVPN extension for Chrome, Firefox, or Edge. The extension has a few features under the hood that can smooth out common streaming issues.
Can I stream sports on my phone or tablet?
Yes. ExpressVPN has apps for every major mobile device, including iOS and Android.
How can I stream on my TV with a VPN?
In brief there are five different ways to stream sports on your TV with ExpressVPN:
-With the native app for a smart TV or streaming device
-By streaming on your computer and connecting to the TV with an HDMI cable
-By mirroring or casting wirelessly to your TV or streaming device from your computer or mobile device
-By connecting to an ExpressVPN-enabled router, which allows for unlimited devices and makes it super simple to connect to different server locations simultaneously
-With MediaStreamer, ExpressVPN’s solution for devices that cannot install a VPN, such as Apple TV or gaming consoles. MediaStreamer only needs to be set up once, although it does not provide the full security benefits of a VPN. (Note that by connecting your Apple TV or gaming console to a router, you can get the best of both worlds!)
For more information on all the ways to get ExpressVPN on your big-screen TV, click here or contact a 24/7 Support agent for step-by-step instructions.
I connected to the VPN but my internet speed is slow
If your internet speed is slow or your streaming seems to lag, there are a few possible reasons:
-The distance of your selected VPN server location from your physical location
-Your connection type (wired connections are more reliable than wireless connections)
-Suboptimal interconnectivity between the VPN and your ISP
-Slow internet connection speed at your location
-Your device type and processing power
Try each of the following steps to troubleshoot:
-Download the latest version of ExpressVPN
-Connect to a different VPN server location
-Change your VPN protocol
If you try each of the above and are still experiencing issues with your streaming speed, contact the ExpressVPN Support Team 24/7 and someone will be with you in seconds.
I connected to the suggested VPN server location but I can’t log in to the streaming service!
No worries! Server load changes rapidly (especially when lots of people are trying to watch certain events), but that’s exactly why ExpressVPN has high-speed servers all over the world. If you’re trying to access a site in the U.S. or Germany, for instance, try connecting to a different server location in those countries.
If you’re trying to connect to a country with one server location, the first step is to check your location settings. If you’re on a mobile device, disconnect from the VPN, turn off location services, then connect to the VPN again. On both Windows and Mac computers, you can turn off Location Services within the Privacy & Security settings menu.
For more help, you can always talk to a member of our Support Team, available 24/7 by live chat.
What other streaming services can I watch with ExpressVPN?
ExpressVPN works seamlessly with all the most popular streaming apps from around the world. Using a VPN for streaming ensures you watch securely in blazing-fast HD with unlimited bandwidth, free from ISP throttling (which can sometimes slow down speeds). If you want to watch your favorite team from anywhere—even while traveling or on unsecured networks like public Wi-Fi—ExpressVPN is a great way to enhance your sports streaming experience.
Need step-by-step streaming help?
24-HOUR LIVE CHAT SUPPORT
I am from Greece and I am waiting to receive a tv-box with O.S. Android 11 in September. Then I will subscribe in your express vpn system because I would like to watching sports channels (college football and basketball) from Sling tv.
The only problem is my internet connection speed approx. 12 Mpbs.
Regards.
I’m trying to get Hulu. Does this app allow me to get Hulu?
Im living in Bangkok Thailand and looking to watch the NCAA
College basketball lives games ( both men & women team
I just want to know Im I in the right place to do all that ?
If Can watch those games live … then please guideline me of what to do
Thank you so much … 🙏
your chat person sent a link for virtual connection; i don’t understand how to use the site to sign up to watch the ncaa basketball tourney that ends tonight
My VPN is slowing down all of the apps on my computer. When I disengage the VPN everything’s back to normal. I have use disconnect in the past and never had issues like this. Now that I have express VPN and paid for it for the year how do I clear or speed up this VPN so that I can have Spotify and have normal usage of my Internet.
Hi Chris,
Please contact Support here: https://www.expressvpn.com/support/#open-chat
Hello,
I’m trying to watch Kansas vs. Auburn from the UK. I connected to the VPN and tried to access the website in an incognito browser but seems to be blocking me. Please help.
Hi Jon,
If you’re trying to access the NCAA March Madness Live website, please make sure you’ve installed the ExpressVPN browser extension (https://www.expressvpn.com/support/vpn-setup/expressvpn-browser-extension/) and are NOT watching the stream from an incognito browser.
For further assistance, please contact Support at https://www.expressvpn.com/support/#open-chat
I’m trying to watch March Madness from Canada. I tried to get the iOS app like you instructed, but it says I cannot get it from my app store. What should I do?
Thx
Hi Adam,
You will need to change to a U.S. App Store before you can find and download the March Madness Live app.
Please follow the instructions here (https://www.expressvpn.com/support/troubleshooting/change-app-store-country/) and download the March Madness Live app in step 10 (instead of the ExpressVPN app).
Remember to connect to a U.S. VPN location before you watch games in the March Madness Live app!
I support Villanova
Texas Tech
support UCLA
I’m picking the KANSAS!
Texas Tech
UCLA
I will support Kansas
Loyola. No doubt!
loyola fer sure
i support Texas Tech
i love Texas Tech
hala Texas Tech
Florida State
Down here in Uganda and would really love to watch this except l cnt coz of the limitations our isps impose on us. The damn bastards as if there overpriced things are not bad enough
Hi ali,
Don’t let that get in your way! Simply connect to an ExpressVPN U.S. location, open an incognito browser with cleared cookies, and you’ll be all set to watch!
Which team are you cheering for? 🙂
Texas Tech
Supporting UCLA
The cinderella team
Go Syracuse!
I’m supporting UCLA. Go Bruins!
will the ExpressVPN slow down the speed when connected to other continents servers?
Hi Adam,
It is possible there may be some minor loss of speed when connected to servers that are far from your location. However, ExpressVPN is constantly optimizing server speeds and you can use the speed test function to see which servers are best for your location!
i am about to buy express vpn to watch march madness tonight. once I have the app on my macbook pro, how do I find the games?
thanks
Hi there,
You can visit http://www.ncaa.com/march-madness-live/watch to see which channels are broadcasting the games (some may require a subscription). Just remember to connect to a U.S. server location and you’re all set!
Works on Roku?
Hi Jeffrey,
Yep! Try out the instructions at https://www.expressvpn.com/support/vpn-setup/stream-on-roku-with-virtual-router-or-router/ and feel free to contact the Support team if you run into any issues 🙂
I’m in BA Argentina and dying to watch the NCAA tournament; the DSL connection in the apartment is poor and there are no sports bars that can get the games. Do you have service here?
@expressvpn Extremely fast and efficient help, awesome connection speeds! Couldn’t be better. <3
I know tons of dudes who will be using their VPN to stream this
How do you stream it? Tried a few times with no luck.