Howard was one of the best stories of conference championship week, winning the MEAC after a thrilling battle with Norfolk State and clinching the program's first NCAA Tournament bid since 1992.
There's a good chance the fun ends on Thursday. Reigning champion Kansas has looked like one of the best teams in the nation once again, leading the country in Quad 1 wins and earning the Big 12 regular season title.
The Jayhawks aren't perfect by any means. Their offense often relies too heavily on Jalen Wilson, and there are concerns about defensive stalwart Kevin McCullar Jr.'s back after he missed the Big 12 title game.
LIVE: Follow Kansas vs. Howard updates from TSN's game center
Kansas is also working to get coach Bill Self back on the sidelines after he underwent heart surgery last week.
Still, Kansas' ability on both ends of the floor should be enough to overpower a Howard team that ranks 205th in KenPom's ratings. In fact, the Jayhawks haven't lost a first round game in the NCAA Tournament since 2006.
If Howard is able to pull off the upset, it would be only the second victory over a No. 1 seed by a No. 16 seed and would be one of the most stunning in college basketball history. That's worth watching.
Here's what you need to know to watch the Jayhawks begin their title defense on Thursday.
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What channel is Kansas vs. Howard on today?
- TV channel: TBS
- Live stream: NCAA March Madness live, Sling TV
Kansas vs. Howard will be broadcast on TBS as the network's first game on the Thursday slate. TBS carry No. 8 Arkansas vs. No. 9 Illinois, No. 2 Texas vs. No. 15 Colgate, and No. 7 Texas A&M vs. No. 10 Penn State.
College basketball fans can stream the game live on either NCAA March Madness Live or on Sling TV, which will carry TBS' broadcast of the game.
Kansas vs. Howard start time
- Date: Thursday, March 16
- Time: 2 p.m. ET
Thursday's game between Kansas and Howard will tip off at 2 p.m. ET at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa.
March Madness schedule 2023
Below is the full schedule for the 2023 NCAA Tournament.
Round 1
Thursday, March 16
| Game | Time (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|
| (9) Maryland vs. (8) West Virginia | 12:15 p.m. | CBS |
| (13) Furman vs. (4) Virginia | 12:40 p.m. | TruTV, Sling TV |
| (10) Utah State vs. (7) Missouri | 1:40 p.m. | TNT, Sling TV |
| (16) Howard vs. (1) Kansas | 2 p.m. | TBS, Sling TV |
| (16) SE Missouri State/Texas A&M-CC vs. (1) Alabama | 2:45 p.m. | CBS |
| (12) Charleston vs. (5) San Diego State | 3:10 p.m. | TruTV, Sling TV |
| (15) Princeton vs. (2) Arizona | 4:10 p.m. | TNT, Sling TV |
| (9) Illinois vs. (8) Arkansas | 4:30 p.m. | TBS, Sling TV |
| (9) Auburn vs. (8) Iowa | 6:50 p.m. | TNT, Sling TV |
| (12) Oral Roberts vs. (5) Duke | 7:10 p.m. | CBS |
| (15) Colgate vs. (2) Texas | 7:25 p.m. | TBS, Sling TV |
| (10) Boise State vs. (7) Northwestern | 7:35 p.m. | TruTV, Sling TV |
| (16) Northern Kentucky vs. (1) Houston | 9:20 p.m. | TNT, Sling TV |
| (13) Louisiana vs. (4) Tennessee | 9:40 p.m. | CBS |
| (10) Penn State vs. (7) Texas A&M | 9:55 p.m. | TBS, Sling TV |
| (15) UNC-Asheville vs. (2) UCLA | 10:05 p.m. | TruTV, Sling TV |
Friday, March 17
| Game | Time (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|
| (10) USC vs. (7) Michigan State | 12:15 p.m. | CBS |
| (14) Kennesaw State vs. (3) Xavier | 12:40 p.m. | TruTV, Sling TV |
| (14) UC-Santa Barbara vs. (3) Baylor | 1:30 p.m. | TNT, Sling TV |
| (12) VCU vs. (5) Saint Mary's | 2 p.m. | TBS, Sling TV |
| (15) Vermont vs. (2) Marquette | 2:45 p.m. | CBS |
| (11) Mississippi State/Pitt vs. (6) Iowa State | 3:10 p.m. | TruTV, Sling TV |
| (11) N.C. State vs. (6) Creighton | 4 p.m. | TNT, Sling TV |
| (13) Iona vs. (4) UConn | 4:30 p.m. | TBS, Sling TV |
| (16) Texas Southern/FDU vs. (1) Purdue | 6:50 p.m. | TNT, Sling TV |
| (11) Providence vs. (6) Kentucky | 7:10 p.m. | CBS |
| (12) Drake vs. (5) Miami | 7:25 p.m. | TBS, Sling TV |
| (14) Grand Canyon vs. (3) Gonzaga | 7:35 p.m. | TruTV, Sling TV |
| (9) Florida Atlantic vs. (8) Memphis | 9:20 p.m. | TNT, Sling TV |
| (14) Montana State vs. (3) Kansas State | 9:40 p.m. | CBS |
| (13) Kent State vs. (4) Indiana | 9:55 p.m. | TBS, Sling TV |
| (11) Arizona State/Nevada vs. (6) TCU | 10:05 p.m. | TruTV, Sling TV |
Round 2
This section will be updated upon the completion of the first round on Friday.
Saturday, March 18
| Game | Time (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|
| TBD vs. TBD | Noon | CBS |
| TBD vs. TBD | 2:30 p.m. | CBS |
| TBD vs. TBD | 5 p.m. | CBS |
| TBD vs. TBD | 6 p.m. | TNT, Sling TV |
| TBD vs. TBD | 7 p.m. | TBS, Sling TV |
| TBD vs. TBD | 7:30 p.m. | CBS |
| TBD vs. TBD | 8:30 p.m. | TNT, Sling TV |
| TBD vs. TBD | 9:30 p.m. | TBS, Sling TV |
Sunday, March 19
| Game | Time (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|
| TBD vs. TBD | Noon | CBS |
| TBD vs. TBD | 2:30 p.m. | CBS |
| TBD vs. TBD | 5 p.m. | CBS |
| TBD vs. TBD | 6 p.m. | TNT, Sling TV |
| TBD vs. TBD | 7 p.m. | TBS, Sling TV |
| TBD vs. TBD | 7:30 p.m. | TruTV, Sling TV |
| TBD vs. TBD | 8:30 p.m. | TNT, Sling TV |
| TBD vs. TBD | 9:30 p.m. | TBS, Sling TV |
Sweet 16
Thursday, March 23
| Game | Time (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|
| TBD vs. TBD | 6:15 p.m. | TBS, Sling TV |
| TBD vs. TBD | 7 p.m. | CBS |
| TBD vs. TBD | 8:45 p.m. | TBS, Sling TV |
| TBD vs. TBD | 9:30 | CBS |
Friday, March 24
| Game | Time (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|
| TBD vs. TBD | 6:15 p.m. | TBS, Sling TV |
| TBD vs. TBD | 7 p.m. | CBS |
| TBD vs. TBD | 8:45 p.m. | TBS, Sling TV |
| TBD vs. TBD | 9:30 | CBS |
Elite Eight
Saturday, March 25
| Game | Time (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|
| TBD vs. TBD | 6 p.m. | TBS, Sling TV |
| TBD vs. TBD | 8:30 p.m. | TBS, Sling TV |
Sunday, March 26
| Game | Time (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|
| TBD vs. TBD | 2 p.m. | CBS |
| TBD vs. TBD | 4:55 p.m. | CBS |
Final Four
Saturday, April 1
| Game | Time (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|
| TBD vs. TBD | 6 p.m. | CBS |
| TBD vs. TBD | 8:30 p.m. | CBS |
National championship
Monday, April 3
| Game | Time (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|
| TBD vs. TBD | 9 p.m. | CBS |