The 2026 men’s NCAA Tournament has already delivered its share of upsets, with powerhouse programs like Florida, Kentucky, Gonzaga and Kansas all heading home earlier than expected. Now, with the field trimmed to just eight teams, another marquee matchup is on the schedule — and it tips off Sunday afternoon at United Center in Chicago.
No. 1 seed Michigan and No. 6 seed Tennessee square off in an Elite Eight game that carries serious Final Four implications for both programs. Here is everything you need to know to watch it live.
When and where to watch
The Michigan vs. Tennessee Elite Eight game tips off at 2:15 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 29, from United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The game will air live on CBS and is also available to stream on Fubo for subscribers who prefer to watch online.
How each team got here
Tennessee‘s path to the Elite Eight has been one of the tournament’s more impressive runs for a six seed. The Volunteers handled their first three opponents with relative authority, and the wins came against increasingly difficult competition. 1) In the Round of 64, Tennessee defeated No. 11 seed Miami (OH) by a score of 78-56. 2) In the Round of 32, they turned away No. 3 seed Virginia, 79-72, in a game that had genuine upset potential. 3) In the Sweet 16, the Volunteers dispatched No. 2 seed Iowa State convincingly, 76-62, to book their spot in this round.
Michigan, meanwhile, has looked like everything a No. 1 seed is supposed to be. The Wolverines have not just won their first three games — they have dominated them. 1) In the Round of 64, Michigan rolled past No. 16 seed Howard, 101-80, in a performance that set the tone early. 2) They followed that with a 95-72 win over No. 9 seed Saint Louis in the Round of 32. 3) The Sweet 16 brought the stiffest test yet in No. 4 seed Alabama, and Michigan answered with a 90-77 victory that underscored just how deep and talented this roster is.
What is at stake
A trip to the Final Four is on the line, and the contrast in seeding makes this game one of the tournament’s most intriguing remaining matchups. Michigan has the higher seed and has looked more dominant across three games, but Tennessee’s resume coming in is not that of a team simply happy to be here. The Volunteers have beaten a No. 2 and a No. 3 seed to reach this point, and nothing about their tournament run suggests they will be intimidated by the stage or the opponent.
For Michigan, the goal is clear — protect the top seed status and keep a national championship run alive. For Tennessee, this is an opportunity to pull off one more signature win and reach a Final Four that very few bracket predictors saw coming for a six seed.
Full 2026 March Madness schedule
For those tracking the broader tournament picture, the remaining key dates are as follows. The Final Four is set for April 4, with the national championship game scheduled for April 6. Sunday’s Elite Eight action, including Michigan vs. Tennessee, represents the last step before those final two rounds take center stage.
With only eight teams left standing after a field that began with 68, every game from here carries the kind of weight that makes college basketball’s postseason unlike anything else in American sports.
Source: USA Today