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How to Watch the ‘First Four’ NCAA Tournament Games Live For Free on Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV, and Mobile

Jeff Kotuby
Jeff Kotuby is a contributing writer to The Streamable who specializes in sports, music, and all things Japanese media. He cut the cord in 2017 and has spent the last six years of his career writing for technology, entertainment, and healthcare websites. He's a lifelong Philadelphia Eagles and Anaheim Ducks fan, but also enjoys watching animated shows from the '90s.
Read full bio ›
Jeff Kotuby

The field of 68 NCAA Tournament teams is set — but we have to get down to 64 before we can really start dancing. On Thursday, March 18, eight teams play for their postseason lives and learn who will slot into the “First Four” slots.

How to Watch The “First Four” NCAA Tournament Games

The “First Four” consists of four play-in games. The winners slot into the bracket and continue their postseason dreams, while the losers go home empty-handed. Below is the full slate of games, what time they begin, and on which station you can find them.

Matchup Time Station
(16) Texas Southern vs. (16) Mount St. Mary’s 5:10 p.m. truTV
(11) Drake vs. (11) Wichita State 6:27 p.m. TBS
(16) Appalachian State vs. (16) Norfolk State 8:40 p.m. truTV
(11) UCLA vs. (11) Michigan State 9:57 p.m. TBS

The first matchup sees Texas Southern battle Mount St. Mary’s on truTV, where the winner must face Michigan in their opening round contest. Later, the Drake Bulldogs and Wichita State Shockers play on TBS for the right to battle USC. The third game between Appalachian State and Norfolk State will decide who plays the overall number one-seeded Gonzaga Bulldogs, while the nightcap between perennial powerhouses UCLA and Michigan State will decide who plays BYU.

Your options to watch the games include DIRECTV STREAM, Sling TV, Hulu Live TV, and YouTube TV.

DTV STREAMFuboHuluPhiloSling TVYouTube
Free TrialFree TrialFree TrialFree TrialGet 50% OffSign Up
$79.99$91.99$76.99$25$40$40$72.99
truTV✓-✓-$6✓✓
TBS✓-✓-✓✓✓

All Live TV Streaming Services

DIRECTV STREAM

Price: $79.99
Includes: truTV and TBS + 29 Top Cable Channels

Sling TV

Price: $40
Includes: truTV and TBS + 22 Top Cable Channels

Hulu Live TV

Price: $76.99
Includes: truTV and TBS + 31 Top Cable Channels

YouTube TV

Price: $72.99
Includes: truTV and TBS + 30 Top Cable Channels

Jeff Kotuby
Jeff Kotuby is a contributing writer to The Streamable who specializes in sports, music, and all things Japanese media. He cut the cord in 2017 and has spent the last six years of his career writing for technology, entertainment, and healthcare websites. He's a lifelong Philadelphia Eagles and Anaheim Ducks fan, but also enjoys watching animated shows from the '90s.
Read full bio ›
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DIRECTV STREAM Cash Back

Let us know your e-mail address to send your $50 Amazon Gift Card when you sign up for DIRECTV STREAM.

You will receive it ~2 weeks after you complete your first month of service.

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  • Purchase must be completed on the DIRECTV STREAM website.
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Sling TV Cash Back

Let us know your e-mail address to send your $25 Uber Eats Gift Card when you sign up for Sling TV.

You will receive it ~2 weeks after you complete your first month of service.

Offer Terms

  • Only valid for new Sling TV subscribers to Sling Orange, Blue, or Sling Orange + Blue.
  • Only valid once per household.
  • You must pay and maintain service for at least one month to be eligible.
  • You must click from The Streamable and complete your purchase on the Sling TV website.
  • You’ll receive gift card 4-6 weeks after purchase (~2 weeks after your first month).
  • Cannot be combined with any other promotion and won’t be eligible if you try to use a coupon code or cash back from another site.

Hulu Live TV Cash Back

Let us know your e-mail address to send your $35 Amazon Gift Card when you sign up for Hulu Live TV.

You will receive it ~2 weeks after you complete your first month of service.

Offer Terms

  • Only valid for new Hulu Live TV subscribers.
  • Only valid once per household.
  • You must pay and maintain service for at least one month to be eligible.
  • You must click from The Streamable and complete your purchase on the Hulu Live TV website.
  • You’ll receive gift card 4-6 weeks after purchase (~2 weeks after your first month).
  • Cannot be combined with any other promotion and won’t be eligible if you try to use a coupon code or cash back from another site.