How To Watch Northwestern Wildcats Men’s Basketball
✦ Edited and fact-checked by Junior Sports Writer Alex Vejar, who has more than 10 years of experience covering sports.
A look at the 2025–2026 Wildcats
It’s a strange new world in Evanston as the program navigates the post-Boo Buie era. After a regression last season that saw the team slide to a 12th-place conference finish and miss the Big Dance, head coach Chris Collins is in his 13th season trying to recapture the magic. The current squad is leaning on defensive grit and scoring by committee, and while the consistency is not quite there yet, they have proved they can still punch up.
I know the fanbase is still anxious about the rotation and the lack of a proven closer for tight games. While the atmosphere at home remains one of the best distinct advantages in the league, the Wildcats need to figure out how to beat the teams they’re supposed to beat.
If you are looking to follow the ‘Cats as they try to claw their way back to the bubble, this guide is for you. I will walk you through the necessary channels, the streaming apps you cannot ignore, and the smartest way to pay for it all.
2025–2026 Northwestern men’s basketball TV schedule
The schedule this year is a mix of traditional broadcasts and streaming-only events. The date every fan has circled is January 14, when the rivalry with Illinois resumes at home.
Given the recent history between these two, that game will be electric. The regular season wraps up on March 7 against Minnesota, a game that could determine seeding for the conference tournament.
| Opponent | Day | Time (ET) | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercyhurst Lakers | Monday, Nov. 3 | 8:00 p.m. | B1G+ |
| Boston University Terriers | Friday, Nov. 7 | 6:00 p.m. | Peacock Premium |
| Cleveland State Vikings | Monday, Nov. 10 | 8:30 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| At DePaul Blue Demons | Friday, Nov. 14 | 8:30 p.m. | truTV |
| At Virginia Cavaliers | Friday, Nov. 21 | 5:00 p.m. | CBS Sports Network |
| South Carolina Gamecocks | Sunday, Nov. 23 | 5:00 p.m. | CBS Sports Network |
| Oklahoma State Cowboys | Thursday, Nov. 27 | 10:51 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| At Wisconsin Badgers | Wednesday, Dec. 3 | 9:00 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| Ohio State Buckeyes | Saturday, Dec. 6 | 2:00 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| Jackson State Tigers | Saturday, Dec. 13 | 2:00 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| Valparaiso Beacons | Tuesday, Dec. 16 | 8:00 p.m. | Peacock Premium |
| At Butler Bulldogs | Saturday, Dec. 20 | 4:00 p.m. | Peacock Premium |
| Howard Bison | Tuesday, Dec. 30 | 5:00 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| Minnesota Golden Gophers | Saturday, Jan. 3 | 5:00 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| At Michigan State Spartans | Thursday, Jan. 8 | 6:30 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| At Rutgers Scarlet Knights | Sunday, Jan. 11 | 5:00 p.m. | Peacock Premium |
| Illinois Fighting Illini | Wednesday, Jan. 14 | 8:30 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| Nebraska Cornhuskers | Saturday, Jan. 17 | 4:00 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| At USC Trojans | Wednesday, Jan. 21 | 11:00 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| At UCLA Bruins | Saturday, Jan. 24 | 6:00 p.m. | FS1 |
| Penn State Nittany Lions | Thursday, Jan. 29 | 8:00 p.m. | Peacock Premium |
| Washington Huskies | Saturday, Jan. 31 | 8:00 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| At Illinois Fighting Illini | Wednesday, Feb. 4 | 9:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Iowa Hawkeyes | Sunday, Feb. 8 | 3:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Michigan Wolverines | Wednesday, Feb. 11 | 8:30 p.m. | TBA |
| At Nebraska Cornhuskers | Saturday, Feb. 14 | 1:00 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| Maryland Terrapins | Wednesday, Feb. 18 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Indiana Hoosiers | Tuesday, Feb. 24 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Oregon Ducks | Saturday, Feb. 28 | 2:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Purdue Boilermakers | Wednesday, March 4 | 8:30 p.m. | TBA |
| At Minnesota Golden Gophers | Saturday, March 7 | 9:00 p.m. | TBA |
Data effective as of post date.
Best TV plans for Northwestern men’s basketball
Northwestern games predominantly air on the Big Ten Network (BTN) and FS1. Because of this, you need a live TV provider that prioritizes sports coverage without locking you into a two-year cable contract. My top pick for Wildcats fans is Hulu + Live TV. It covers all the essential FOX-affiliated channels and BTN, ensuring you catch the majority of the league play.
Unfortunately, you can’t rely on a live TV package alone. Northwestern features heavily on Peacock Premium this season, especially for non-marquee conference matchups and non-conference tilts. If you do not have a Peacock Premium subscription, you are effectively locking yourself out of a significant portion of the season. I recommend grabbing the annual plan to save a few bucks, as it’s non-negotiable for watching this team.
How to watch Northwestern men’s basketball FAQ
How can I watch Northwestern men's basketball for free?
You can take advantage of free trials from live TV streaming services like YouTube TV, DIRECTV, or Hulu + Live TV.
How can I stream Northwestern men's basketball without cable?
Hulu + Live TV is the best option because it includes the Big Ten Network and FS1, which are the primary channels for Wildcats basketball.
Can I watch Northwestern men's basketball on Peacock?
Yes, Peacock Premium is essential for Northwestern fans because it holds exclusive rights to many of the team's games that do not air on standard cable channels.
How can I watch Northwestern men's basketball in March Madness?
To watch the men's tournament, you will need a service that carries CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV, as the games are split between these networks.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com editorial team cross-referenced the official Northwestern men’s basketball schedule with the channel lineups of every major TV provider. Using those details, we selected our viewing recommendations based on channel availability, pricing, and ease of use.
This guide is updated regularly throughout the season to ensure our information is accurate. To learn more about our methods, check out our How We Rank page.
