College basketball’s television ratings continue to soar throughout the 2025-26 season. On3 is tracking the 10 most-watched men’s games of the year.
Ratings were up across all networks as of mid-February. ESPNIn particular, as of February 13, it increased by 25% and is expected to have its best season in 11 years. but cbs and fox Driven by the NFL’s leading game on Thanksgiving, it was the most-watched game of the regular season.
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On3 is tracking TV ratings for the most-watched men’s college basketball game of the year. Here are the complete top 10 as of February 24, according to Nielsen Big Data+ panel data. Note: This story will be updated during the 2025-26 regular season.
Duke University vs University of Arkansas
Date/Time: November 27, 8:15 pm ET
Channel: CBS
Number of viewers: 6.8 million
Take advantage of one of two college basketball games taking place on Black Friday Duke’s win Arkansas It is the most-watched game so far in the 2025-26 season. After the record-setting NFL game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Dallas Cowboys, an average of 6.8 million people tuned in to watch the Blue Devils win.
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Michigan vs North Carolina
Date/Time: November 27, 4:30 pm ET
Channel: Fox
Audience: 6.5 million
Following Duke University and the University of Arkansas, michigan state university win over North Carolina It was the second most-watched men’s college basketball game to date, with 6.5 million viewers on Fox. Previously, the Green Bay Packers defeated the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving Day, a game that averaged 47.7 million viewers and had a strong lead.
Duke University vs. University of Michigan
Date/Time: February 21, 6:30 pm ET
Channel: ESPN
Number of viewers: 4.3 million
The showdown between the No. 1 and No. 3 teams on February 21st did not disappoint. Duke’s Neutral site wins michigan ESPN’s most-watched game to date averaged 4.3 million viewers.
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Duke University vs. University of North Carolina
Date/Time: February 7, 6:30 pm ET
Channel: ESPN
Number of viewers: 3.5 million
In their first showdown of the year, North Carolina Take it off Duke ESPN was a huge success in the TV ratings. averaged 3.5 million viewers Seth Trimble’s A last-second field goal gave the Tar Heels the victory, the network’s best game in four years.
University of Maryland vs UCLA
Date/Time: January 10, 8pm ET
Channel: Fox
Audience: 2.9 million
2.9 million viewers, UCLA win Maryland In addition, FOX aired NFL games – the NFC wild-card round game between the Los Angeles Rams and Carolina Panthers, which averaged 28 million viewers per game. As a result, the Bruins’ victory became one of the most watched men’s college basketball games of the season.
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Michigan vs. Michigan State
Date/Time: January 30, 8pm ET
Channel: Fox
Audience: 2.8 million
Competition tilts between michigan and michigan state university Became FOX’s most-watched program college basketball friday The network says it’s the game of all time. An average of 2.8 million viewers tuned in to watch the storyline-filled matchup, which the Wolverines emerged victorious in East Lansing.
Arizona vs Houston
Date/Time: February 21, 3pm ET
Channel:ABC
Audience: 2.4 million
Part 2 of College Basketball Monster Days Houston Welcome No. 4 Arizona In a crucial Big 12 matchup. The Wildcats ended up in front of an average of 2.4 million viewers on ABC.
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Kentucky vs Arkansas
Date/Time: January 31, 6:30 pm ET
Channel: ESPN
Number of viewers: 2.39 million
back John Calipari beat his previous team last year, kentucky Reply to Wildcats defeat on January 31 Arkansas Men’s college basketball games in Fayetteville averaged 2.4 million viewers, ranking outside the top five most-watched men’s college basketball games so far this year.
Brigham Young University vs University of Kansas
Date/Time: January 31, 4:30 pm ET
Channel: ESPN
Audience: 2.1 million
A high-profile showdown between the two sides AJ Dibansa and Darin Peterson On January 31st, ESPN’s college basketball show had strong ratings. Ultimately, Peterson and kansas defeated Dibanza and Brigham Young Universityhe makes games at Phog Allen Fieldhouse interesting.
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Wisconsin vs Michigan
Date/Time: January 10, 1pm ET
Channel: CBS
Number of viewers: 2 million
then, Wisconsin’s a frustrating victory michigan Became the most-watched college basketball game without an NFL lead. An average of 2 million viewers watched the Badgers hand the Wolverines their first loss of the season, and CBS enjoyed a ratings win.
More of the most watched men’s basketball games
Indiana and kentucky (Dec. 13, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN) — 1.96 million
illinois and michigan state university (Feb. 7, 8 p.m. ET, Fox) – 1.95 million
Ohio State University and michigan (Jan. 23, 8 p.m. ET, Fox) – 1.9 million
kansas and Duke (Nov. 18, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN) — 1.87 million
Arizona and kansas (February 9, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN) — 1.82 million
Florida and kentucky (February 14, 3 p.m. ET, ABC) — 1.8 million
tennessee and kentucky (February 7, 8:50 p.m. ET, ESPN) — 1.79 million
Duke and michigan state university (Noon ET, Dec. 6, Fox News) – 1.782 million
Arizona and kansas (February 9, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN) – 1.78 million
Florida and Duke (Dec. 2, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN) — 1.75 million
Louisville and Duke (Jan. 26, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN) — 1.698 million
illinois and Purdue University (Jan. 24, 3 p.m. ET, Fox) – 1.685 million
The college basketball regular season will last until March 8. From that point on, the conference tournament begins, with tryouts on Sunday, March 15th.
