The Michigan State Spartans head into the 2025 TIAA Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament with the No. 1 seed after posting a 17–3 conference record. But the Big Ten has been fiercely competitive this season, and there’s no knowing how the Big Ten tournament will unfold.
Round One of the postseason competition tips off on Peacock this Wednesday, March 12. After those initial three games, you’ll need Big Ten Network and CBS to watch all remaining matchups. That’s when things really heat up as teams vie for an automatic bid to the 2025 March Madness tournament.
Keep reading to explore the full tournament TV schedule and discover the best TV plans for following along.
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What channel is the Big Ten men’s basketball tournament on?
Pro tip: You can stream every Big Ten Network game through the FOX Sports app, while CBS matchups will stream live on Paramount+ with SHOWTIME and CBSSports.com.
2025 Big Ten men’s basketball tournament schedule
The 2025 Big Ten men’s basketball tournament begins on Wednesday, March 12. Teams will compete in five rounds of action leading up to the conference title game on Sunday, March 16.
Check out the tournament TV schedule below for a closer look at each matchup and how to tune in.
| Game | Day | Time (ET) | Channels |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Round | |||
| #13 Northwestern vs. #12 Minnesota | Wednesday, March 12 | 3:30 p.m. | Peacock |
| #15 Iowa vs. #10 Ohio State | Wednesday, March 12 | ~6:00 p.m. | Peacock |
| #14 USC vs. #11 Rutgers | Wednesday, March 12 | ~8:30 p.m. | Peacock |
| Second Round | |||
| #9 Indiana vs. #8 Oregon | Thursday, March 13 | Noon | Big Ten Network |
| #5 Wisconsin vs. #13 Northwestern | Thursday, March 13 | ~1:30 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| #7 Illinois vs. #15 Iowa | Thursday, March 13 | 6:30 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| #6 Purdue vs. #14 USC | Thursday, March 13 | ~8:00 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| Quarterfinals | |||
| #1 Michigan State vs. #8 Oregon | Friday, March 14 | Noon | Big Ten Network |
| #4 UCLA vs. #5 Wisconsin | Friday, March 14 | ~1:30 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| #2 Maryland vs. #7 Illinois | Friday, March 14 | 6:30 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| #3 Michigan vs. #6 Purdue | Friday, March 14 | ~8:00 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| Semifinals | |||
| #1 Michigan State vs. #5 Wisconsin | Saturday, March 15 | 1:00 p.m. | CBS |
| #2 Maryland vs. #3 Michigan | Saturday, March 15 | ~2:30 p.m. | CBS |
| Championship | |||
| #5 Wisconsin vs. #3 Michigan | Sunday, March 16 | 3:30 p.m. | CBS |
Data effective as of post date.
Best Big Ten men’s basketball tournament TV plans
Choosing the right TV plan for the Big Ten men’s basketball tournament boils down to which games you can’t miss. Since no single service covers all 14 matchups, you’ll need Peacock and a live TV subscription to catch the entire tournament.
Here are the two services I relied on during the women’s Big Ten tournament and why they’ll work just as well for the men’s competition.
- Peacock (3 games): A Peacock subscription (starting at $7.99/mo.) is essential for watching the tournament’s first round. If you support a low-seeded team, you’ll want Peacock to see if your school can survive the tough opening-round gauntlet. College students can score the Peacock Student Discount at $2.99/mo. for 12 months.
- Hulu + Live TV (11 games): Although its plans start at $81.99 per month, Hulu + Live TV delivers a robust channel lineup that includes Big Ten Network, CBS, and all other March Madness channels. Such comprehensive coverage makes it our top choice for catching every pivotal college basketball game during this month’s Big Ten tournament and beyond.
Data effective as of post date. Compatible device and internet connection required. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Big Ten men’s basketball tournament FAQ
How do I watch the Big Ten men’s basketball championship?
The 2025 Big Ten men’s basketball championship will air on CBS and Paramount+ at 3:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 16. You’ll need the Paramount+ with SHOWTIME plan if you go that streaming route.
How can I watch the Big Ten men’s basketball tournament for free?
You can watch portions of the Big Ten men’s basketball tournament for free with live TV trials from DIRECTV STREAM and Fubo. While Peacock doesn’t offer a free trial, you can watch CBS for free with a digital antenna or a Paramount+ with SHOWTIME free trial.
Where is the Big Ten men’s basketball tournament in 2025?
The 2025 Big Ten men’s basketball tournament will take place at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. Home to the WNBA’s Indiana Fever, the arena also hosted this season’s Big Ten women’s basketball tournament.
Why you should trust us
Our sports experts researched this year’s Big Ten men’s basketball tournament TV schedule, confirming channel details with each broadcaster. We then assessed the top TV providers for tuning in by analyzing cost, game availability, and user experience. Before finalizing our viewing recommendations, we cross-referenced our findings with CableTV.com’s existing college basketball coverage.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
