✦ Edited and fact-checked by our Contributing Writer David Vick, who has more than five years of experience covering sports.
Northwestern faces a rebuilding year after losing several key contributors and welcoming a wave of newcomers. With plenty of fresh talent on the roster, head coach Chris Collins will need to build chemistry quickly. The Wildcats face a challenging Big Ten slate, making their nonconference matchups an important early test. Can Northwestern regain their winning ways this season?
We’ll find out on Big Ten Network, B1G+, ESPN2, FOX, FS1, and Peacock. Most Peacock games also air on NBC Sports Network (NBCSN), but some require a Peacock subscription.
Keep reading for all the details you need to watch Northwestern Wildcats basketball all season long!
2026–27 Northwestern men’s basketball TV schedule
Northwestern’s nonconference slate features five consecutive home games, an appearance in the Charleston Classic, and a neutral-site showdown with BYU in Salt Lake City. Big Ten play brings challenging road trips to Michigan, Purdue, and Illinois, along with home matchups against Wisconsin and Michigan State.
Find the start times and broadcast assignments for every Northwestern game in the table below. We’ll update it during the season as needed.
NCAAM - Northwestern Wildcats Schedule
| Opponent | Date | Time (ET) | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
November | |||
Binghamton Bearcats | Monday, Nov. 2 | 8:00 p.m. | B1G+ |
Stony Brook Seawolves | Friday, Nov. 6 | 8:00 p.m. | B1G+ |
Boston University Terriers | Monday, Nov. 9 | 8:00 p.m. | |
DePaul Blue Demons | Friday, Nov. 13 | TBD | |
Columbia Lions | Monday, Nov. 16 | 8:00 p.m. | B1G+ |
At Virginia Tech Hokies | Friday, Nov. 20 | 3:00 p.m. | |
Dayton Flyers | Sunday, Nov. 22 | 1:00 p.m. | |
Northeastern Huskies | Friday, Nov. 27 | 8:00 p.m. | |
December | |||
Tuesday, Dec. 1 | 9:00 p.m. | ||
At BYU Cougars | Saturday, Dec. 5 | 4:00 p.m. | |
Saturday, Dec. 12 | 4:30 p.m. | ||
Mercyhurst Lakers | Wednesday, Dec. 16 | 8:00 p.m. | B1G+ |
At Oklahoma State Cowboys | Sunday, Dec. 20 | 1:00 p.m. | |
Chicago State Cougars | Tuesday, Dec. 29 | 8:00 p.m. | |
January | |||
Sunday, Jan. 3 | 7:30 p.m. | ||
Wednesday, Jan. 6 | 6:30 p.m. | ||
Sunday, Jan. 10 | Noon | ||
Wednesday, Jan. 13 | 9:00 p.m. | ||
Saturday, Jan. 16 | 1:00 p.m. | ||
Wednesday, Jan. 20 | 10:30 p.m. | ||
At Oregon Ducks | Saturday, Jan. 23 | 7:00 p.m. | |
Wednesday, Jan. 27 | 7:00 p.m. | ||
Saturday, Jan. 30 | 2:00 p.m. | ||
February | |||
Saturday, Feb. 6 | Noon | ||
Tuesday, Feb. 9 | 7:30 p.m. | ||
Saturday, Feb. 13 | 2:00 p.m. | ||
Tuesday, Feb. 16 | 9:00 p.m. | ||
Sunday, Feb. 21 | 2:00 p.m. | ||
Wednesday, Feb. 24 | 8:30 p.m. | ||
Saturday, Feb. 27 | 3:00 p.m. | ||
March | |||
Tuesday, March 2 | 8:30 p.m. | ||
Sunday, March 7 | 1:00 p.m. |
Best TV plans for watching Northwestern men’s basketball
Catching every Northwestern men’s basketball game this season takes some planning. YouTube TV offers broad coverage of the Wildcats’ nationally televised matchups, but you’ll also need B1G+ and Peacock for streaming exclusives.
If you don’t need a full live TV package, FOX One is a lower-cost option for Northwestern games on FOX, FS1, and Big Ten Network. Our recommendations below explain where each service fits into the picture.
Best Overall
YouTube TV gives Northwestern fans a front-row seat to the season with its Sports Plan. You’ll get broad coverage of the Wildcats’ nationally televised games, plus unlimited DVR storage and multiview to keep up with multiple matchups. Just remember that B1G+ and Peacock exclusives require separate subscriptions.
Required for Exclusives
Some Northwestern games won’t make it to traditional TV. B1G+ is the place to catch those exclusive matchups throughout the season. You can subscribe directly through the B1G+ website or app, or purchase access as an add-on through FOX One.
Best Standalone Option
FOX One is a budget-friendly way to follow the Wildcats on FOX, FS1, and Big Ten Network. It won’t cover every game on the schedule, so you’ll need another service for broadcasts on other networks. You can also add B1G+ through FOX One to simplify your viewing setup.
Best for Big Ten Matchups
Big Ten basketball takes center stage on Peacock throughout the season, making it a useful option for Northwestern fans. Most Wildcats games on Peacock also air on NBCSN, but select matchups stream exclusively on the platform. You’ll need Peacock Premium or Premium Plus to watch those exclusives.
How to watch Northwestern men’s basketball FAQ
Where can I watch Northwestern men's basketball for free?
There's no free option for Northwestern's entire season, but select games on FOX may be available through a digital antenna. Eligible new subscribers can also take advantage of free trials from DIRECTV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV.
How can I watch Northwestern in the NCAA Tournament?
If Northwestern qualifies for the NCAA Tournament, men's March Madness games are scheduled to air across CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV. CBS games will also stream on Paramount+ for Premium subscribers, while games on TBS, TNT, and truTV are available through HBO Max with a Standard or Premium plan.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com Contributing Writer, David Vick, reviewed the official Northwestern Wildcats men’s basketball schedule, along with relevant Big Ten and streaming information to determine the best ways to follow the team. Our recommendations consider channel availability, streaming access, pricing, and ease of use.
CableTV.com editors review and update the TV schedule throughout the season as game times and network assignments change. To learn more about our methods, check out our Editorial Policy.
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Go Wildcats! Learn how to watch Northwestern men's basketball with the full TV schedule, channel listings, and streaming options for every game.
CableTV.com editors created this article using original analysis and proprietary inputs, with AI tools assisting in drafting. The final content was reviewed and edited for accuracy and quality.
