The Big Ten Conference has unveiled the complete bracket for the 2026 TIAA‑sponsored men’s basketball tournament, setting the stage for a March 10‑15 showdown at Chicago’s United Center. The event will comprise 17 contests, each slated for live coverage on a combination of Peacock, the Big Ten Network, CBS and Paramount+.
Broadcast and Schedule
All 17 games will be streamed or televised live, with Peacock handling the bulk of early‑round action, the Big Ten Network carrying select matchups, while CBS and Paramount+ split the later stages. First‑round games begin on March 10, followed by second‑round play on March 11, third‑round on March 12, and the quarterfinals on March 13. Semifinals are scheduled for March 14, culminating in the championship on March 15.
Seedings and Team Profiles
Michigan entered the bracket as the No. 1 seed after finishing the regular season with a 29‑2 overall record and a 19‑1 mark in Big Ten play, securing its 16th conference regular‑season title. Nebraska claimed the No. 2 seed at 26‑5 overall and 15‑5 in conference, marking its highest placement in recent memory. Michigan State earned the No. 3 seed and will be led by captains Carson Cooper, Jaxon Kohler, Coen Carr and Jeremy Fears Jr. Illinois secured the No. 4 seed with a program‑best 24 wins.
The top four seeds receive triple‑byes and will open tournament play in the quarterfinals on March 13. Michigan hopes to join the 2017‑18 back‑to‑back champions as the first team to repeat since that era, while Nebraska’s No. 2 seed represents its finest finish in the Big Ten era.