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2026 March Madness live stream: NCAA Tournament first-round TV schedule for Friday’s games

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The 2026 NCAA Tournament continues on Friday with 16 more first-round games that will determine the 32 teams in contention to cut down the nets next month in Indianapolis. With the madness fully underway, plenty of storylines are worth pondering.

The first game of the day features No. 10 seed Santa Clara against No. 7 seed Kentucky (12:15 p.m. ET, CBS), with the winner advancing to face the winner of No. 2 seed Iowa State and No. 15 seed Tennessee State. Another intriguing early matchup has No. 4 seed Alabama facing No. 13 seed Hofstra (3:15 p.m. ET, truTV). 

Alabama will be without star guard Aden Holloway for that game after he was arrested earlier in the week on felony drug charges.

No. 1 seed Florida begins its quest to repeat as national champions against No. 16 seed Prairie View A&M (9:25 p.m. ET, TNT). Another game to keep an eye on during the late window is Darryn Peterson, the potential No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, making his NCAA Tournament debut with Kansas when the No. 4 seed Jayhawks face No. 13 seed Cal Baptist (9:45 p.m. ET, CBS).

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Let’s get into some of the big storylines to know for Friday’s first-round action.

Peterson makes his NCAA Tournament debut

Peterson, who is a candidate to become the No. 1 overall pick in the draft this summer, has been one of the biggest stories in college basketball this season. The Kansas guard missed 11 games during the regular season due to hamstring/cramping issues. Peterson opened up about how the full-body cramping was a “traumatic experience,” which resulted in him having to go to the hospital at one point to receive intravenous fluids.

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When Peterson plays, he is one of the most dynamic scorers in the sport. Peterson has played in nine consecutive games since being ruled out less than an hour before tipoff against then-No. 1 Arizona at home last month. In the Big 12 quarterfinals against TCU, Peterson logged a season-high 37 minutes. Peterson is averaging 19.8 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 22 games this season. If Kansas is going to advance to the Sweet 16 and beyond, it will need Peterson’s best.

Alabama coach Nate Oats talks to his team at Thursday’s workout in Tampa.
Imagn Images

Is Alabama on upset alert?

One of the biggest and most unexpected storylines to land heading into the NCAA Tournament was the arrest of Holloway just days before Alabama’s matchup against Hofstra. According to Holloway’s attorney, Jeff Neff, Alabama’s second-leading scorer has requested several different types of hearings in the coming weeks to combat charges of first-degree marijuana possession and failure to affix a tax stamp, both of which are felonies in the state of Alabama.

If Holloway is indeed out, the Crimson Tide could be on upset alert against the CAA champions. The Pride boasts two dynamic scorers in Cruz Davis (20.2 points) and Preston Edmead (15.9 points). Hofstra ended the season by winning 11 of its last 12 games. Without Holloway, Alabama will rely even more on star guard Labaron Philon. The ceiling of this Crimson Tide roster is obviously lower if Holloway is out this weekend and beyond — if the Crimson Tide gets out of this quadrant without a loss.

Purdue star on the verge of NCAA history

Purdue star guard Braden Smith is close to breaking an NCAA record that has been held for over three decades. Smith needs just two assists to pass former Duke star Bobby Hurley for the most assists by a men’s Division I player. Smith enters the NCAA Tournament with 1,775 career assists and is just one away from tying the record Hurley set in the early 1990s.

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Smith, a four-year player at Purdue, has become a rarity in the modern landscape by staying at the same school for his entire career. He is averaging a career-high 9.0 assists per game this season, which surpassed his mark of 8.7 assists per game last year. He dished out 11 assists during Purdue’s win over Michigan in last weekend’s Big Ten title game. He will likely break it against Queens (NC) on Friday.

Friday’s NCAA Tournament streaming schedule

Games played at Benchmark International Arena (Tampa), Xfinity Mobile Arena (Philadelphia), Viejas Arena (San Diego) and Enterprise Center (St. Louis)

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Aeliana poised for history in 2026 Rosehill Ranvet Stakes

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During spring, it was Via Sistina leading the way. This time around, Autumn Glow has been the star.

Aeliana has remained overshadowed by two exceptional stablemates through her recent six starts, though on Saturday at Rosehill, the mare emerges prominently in the Ranvet Stakes (2000m).

In addition to targeting her first triumph post-thrashing ATC Australian Derby rivals a year ago, she could enable James McDonald to tie Damien Oliver’s 129 Group 1 wins Australian record.

McDonald, fresh off victory in the Coolmore Classic last weekend via Lazzura, eyes that one more Group 1 to level with Oliver, commencing his five such rides at Rosehill aboard Aeliana.

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Her trainer Chris Waller trusts the mare to supply the champion jockey’s key moment, as do gamblers backing her firmly at $1.65.

“She has come back stronger, and her first two runs have been superb,” Waller said.

“She’s got the best form heading into a Ranvet.

“This time last year, she ran second by a nostril on the same day in the Rosehill Guineas to Broadsiding and came out with an emphatic Derby win.

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“She is where she needs to be.”

Aeliana headlines McDonald’s outstanding quintet of Group 1 engagements Saturday, all under Sydney’s champion trainer.

If she falls short for the tying win, Autumn Boy as Rosehill Guineas favourite gives McDonald his prompt opportunity to surpass Oliver, then Autumn Glow, the unbeaten mare, in the George Ryder Stakes (1500m).

The jockey’s further Group 1 hopes rest on Fireball in the Golden Slipper (1200m) and Generosity in the Galaxy (1100m), both outsiders at double-figure quotes needing shocks.

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Potentially Aeliana’s sternest test is barnmate Lindermann ($9), who has notched two wins and two places in four Rosehill 2000m appearances.

After a creditable third on return, the gelding disappointed in the Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m) last time, yet Waller reports full recovery and a battling effort ahead.

“He’s fine. He’s had an ECG and everything is normal so he will definitely be there,” Waller said.

Trinity College, the stable trio’s outsider, brings a Group 3 win at the distance from overseas, with solid training reports since his Aussie bow last month.

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Find the top betting sites offering racing odds for the Ranvet Stakes action.

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England squad: Thomas Tuchel explains squad selection

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England manager Thomas Tuchel explains his decisions for selecting Manchester United players Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo for his upcoming camp.

He also says it was a “tough decision” to not include Trent Alexander-Arnold in the expanded 35-man squad.

The Three Lions continue their World Cup preparations with friendlies at Wembley Stadium against Uruguay on 27 March and Japan on 31 March.

Teams must submit their final World Cup squads by Saturday, 30 May.

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READ MORE: ‘Last opportunity to impress’ – Tuchel names 35-man England squad

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Trent Alexander-Arnold’s England World Cup hopes in doubt, so what now for Real Madrid defender?

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Tuchel, who has made clear his love of the physical nature of English football alongside his want of a solid backline referenced Jarrell Quansah, Djed Spence and Tino Livramento as the players in front of Alexander-Arnold.

And although predominately a centre-back, Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa played at right-back in the comfortable win over Wales in October and is an option there too.

“A slightly different profile,” Tuchel said when asked by BBC Sport about what the other players bring.

“It’s not what Trent cannot offer us. I know very well what Trent can offer.

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“I suffered when he played against my teams with Liverpool. I know very well about his strengths and what he can give.”

Livramento played the second-half of Newcastle’s 7-2 defeat by Barcelona in the second leg of their Champions League tie on Wednesday, but he has already impressed the England boss.

Tuchel is big on players having “credit” for what they have previously done for him and Livramento played in England’s 5-0 away win against Serbia, arguably the most impressive performance since he took charge.

“It is a sporting decision that we stick with Quansah, Livramento and Spence who all can play in camp in the right full-back position,” added the German.

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“We have evidence with how good we were in September, October and November and the players who are in camp have to push for their ticket. They have to show again that they deserve this spot.”

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IPL 2026: KKR suffer Matheesha Pathirana blow, reveal fresh details | Cricket News

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IPL 2026: KKR suffer Matheesha Pathirana blow, reveal fresh details
Matheesha Pathirana (PTI Photo/Kunal Patil)

Matheesha Pathirana is set to miss the opening phase of IPL 2026, with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) head coach Abhishek Nayar confirming in pre-season press conference held on friday that the pacer is likely to be available only from mid-April. Pathirana, who was ruled out of the 2026 T20 World Cup due to a calf strain, is currently undergoing rehabilitation under the supervision of Sri Lanka Cricket. He had featured in just three matches in the tournament before being helped off the field during a game against Australia.

KKR await fitness update

Providing an update on the young fast bowler’s recovery, Nayar said: “The latest update that we know is he’s obviously with the Sri Lankan cricket board and they took out his rehab, and the latest communication that we’ve had is, hopefully, somewhere mid-April is when they feel he’ll be match fit. That’s what we know as of now.”

Sri Lanka Cricket issues NOC update for IPL 2026

Dushmantha Chameera, Pathum Nissanka, and Kamindu Mendis, who have successfully completed their physical performance tests, have been issued NOCs to participate in the IPL. Nuwan Thushara’s eligibility for a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to participate in the IPL will be subject to the outcome of his Physical Performance Test.”Wanindu Hasaranga, Eshan Malinga, and Matheesha Pathirana, who have requested NOCs to participate in IPL 2026, are yet to undergo the Physical Performance Test, as they are still undergoing rehabilitation to recover from injuries sustained. The respective players will undergo the tests upon completion of their recovery and rehabilitation programs,” said SLC in a statement on Friday.

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“Firstly, it is a big blow” – Nayar

Nayar admitted that Harshit’s absence comes as a major setback for the KKR:“Firstly, it is a big blow, because Harshit has been an integral part of this team for the last couple of seasons, including the championship season. He’s grown a lot as a cricketer over the years, so it’s not easy to replace him.”He added that the team management is actively exploring replacement options: “Having said that, over the last few days, we’ve looked at a few bowlers. We’re trying to evaluate, with the help of the leadership group, who fits in and who can do that role to the best of their prowess.”“We’re still evaluating that and haven’t made that decision yet, but hopefully we’ll identify someone soon who can make a difference to this squad.”

Bravo backs squad depth despite setbacks

KKR mentor Dwayne Bravo struck a confident tone: “In any tournament with any team, once you lose some of the key bowling options, these are things you plan for, but also things you have to accept, the good thing about Indian cricket, especially at the moment, is that there is a lot of depth.”Bravo pointed to several Indian pacers who could step up: “So there are some guys, as the coach mentioned, that we are definitely looking at to fill the spot – the likes of Umran Malik.”“These guys are also players who have represented the national team at some point in time and have also played in the IPL before. They are young, exciting talents. So, for me personally, I’m happy to work with this group of fast bowlers.” he added.

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Bruno Guimaraes to Man United latest, £69m transfer ultimatum, Casemiro’s crucial role

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Bruno Guimaraes to Man United latest, £69m transfer ultimatum, Casemiro’s crucial role – Manchester Evening News