How to live stream McNeese vs Vanderbilt: March Madness, TV channel
Vanderbilt plays McNeese in a first-round matchup of the 2026 NCAA Tournament on Thursday as March Madness officially gets underway. MORE: Predicting upsets in March Madness 2026 McNeese’s Larry Johnson (6) shoots during practice and media day for the first round of the NCAA basketball tournament at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla. , Wednesday March 18, 2026.
How to Watch McNeese vs Vanderbilt Date: Thursday, March 19, 2026 Time: 3:15 PM ET TV Channel: truTV Live Stream: DIRECTV ( try for free ) The NCAA Tournament tips off with 68 teams chasing college basketball’s biggest prize, setting the stage for three weeks of upsets, buzzer-beaters, and dramatic finishes. As all the top teams in the nation have their eyes set on a national championship, the tournament once again promises the chaos and excitement that make March Madness one of the most thrilling events in sports. – Watch every NCAA Tournament matchup on DIRECTV – The matchup between McNeese and Vanderbilt brings together two teams from very different conferences with strong seasons behind them.
McNeese, representing the Southland Conference, enters the NCAA Tournament with an impressive 28–5 overall record after winning its conference tournament and securing the automatic bid. Their dominant run through Southland play, combined with a double-digit win streak heading into March Madness, highlights a confident mid-major squad capable of challenging higher-seeded opponents. On the other side, Vanderbilt comes out of the powerhouse SEC (Southeastern Conference) with a 26–8 record, finishing near the top of one of college basketball’s toughest leagues.
The Commodores’ success against elite competition and high-scoring offense make them a formidable No. 5 seed in the tournament. This game sets up a classic March Madness contrast: McNeese’s momentum and dominance in the Southland versus Vanderbilt’s battle-tested resume in the SEC, creating the potential for a compelling first-round showdown.
Live stream Vanderbilt vs McNeesen with DIRECTV: Start your free trial now! Fans can watch every moment of the NCAA Tournament through DIRECTV. Games throughout the tournament are broadcast on CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV, with DIRECTV packages providing access to all four networks, so viewers can stream every round live.