How to stream 2024-25 college basketball games live with a VPN
No matter your allegiance, we know you want to watch your team in blazing-fast HD, free of buffering or throttling from your ISP, school, or office network. To stream college basketball securely with ExpressVPN, just follow these easy steps:
- Get ExpressVPN.
- Connect to a server location that matches the broadcaster you want to watch. For example, American sports fans can connect to a U.S. server to securely watch the coverage carried by U.S. streaming services.
- Go team!
Watching on a computer? For the best streaming experience, use the ExpressVPN browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, or Edge.
Why you need a VPN to watch college basketball games
Your internet service provider (ISP) might slow your connection if it thinks you’re streaming too much, causing laggy streams and buffering that could mean you miss a highlight-worthy dunk or an improbable late-game comeback. A VPN encrypts your internet traffic, keeping your online activity private from your ISP, so you can bypass this type of throttling and watch college basketball games without any issues.
If you’re working at night and the Wi-Fi at your job blocks streaming services, you could miss out on watching some games. VPN encryption hides your activity from the network, allowing you to unblock streaming platforms with ease.
Best VPN for watching college basketball live streams in 2024
ExpressVPN has a global network of servers in 105 countries (and 12 U.S. states and Washington D.C.), making it easy to find one in your preferred location. Our service works seamlessly with sports streaming platforms that broadcast college basketball games, such as ESPN+, Peacock, and Fubo. Our 10-Gbps servers give you a blazing-fast VPN connection, so you never have to worry about buffering or lag during those exhilarating finishes.
You can connect up to 8 devices to the VPN at once with a single account, which allows you to watch the games on your smart TV while your roommates or family stream movies and shows on their phones, gaming consoles, and other devices. Try ExpressVPN now with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
Stream college basketball games on services with free trials
| Service | Channels | Free trial length |
| DirecTV Stream | ABC, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, Fox, FS1, NBC, TruTV, The CW, select regional sports networks | 5 days |
| Fubo | ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, NFL Network, SEC Network, The CW, select regional sports networks | 7 days |
| Hulu + Live TV | ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNews, ESPN U, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, TruTV, The CW, select regional sports networks | 3 days |
| Paramount Plus | CBS, CBS Sports Network | 7 days |
| YouTube TV | ABC, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNews, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, SEC Network, TruTV, The CW | Varies |
Prefer to watch on the big screen? Learn about all the ways to get ExpressVPN on your TV.
Streaming options for select college basketball games
Several streaming services offer exclusive college basketball coverage throughout the 2024-25 season, though some don’t offer free trials. Learn more about those options below.
ESPN+
ESPN+ will carry college basketball at all levels, from the SEC and Big 12 to Division II and Division III. However, it is important to note there are two types of college basketball games that air on ESPN+.
ESPN+ simulcasts: These games will air on other ESPN platforms, including ESPN and ESPN 2, and can be streamed via simulcast on ESPN+. Note that proof of subscription to another service, such as YouTube TV or Fubo, may be required to stream these games.
ESPN+ exclusives: These games, as implied, will air exclusively on ESPN+. You won’t need proof of subscription to another service to watch ESPN+ exclusives.
Reminder: ESPN+ does not offer a free trial.
Peacock
Peacock will stream every college basketball game airing on NBC throughout the 2024-25 season. Peacock costs 6 USD/month.
Other ways to watch college basketball games
Sling TV
Channels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN 3, ESPNews, ESPN U, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, Pac-12 Network, and the SEC Network
Sling TV provides access to most channels airing college basketball except for CBS. ABC is also available in select markets. Please note that Sling no longer offers a free trial.
Want it on the big screen? Learn about all the ways to get ExpressVPN on your TV.
Watch live college basketball games on all your streaming devices
ExpressVPN is compatible with all major streaming devices, from smartphones and tablets to gaming consoles and smart TVs, making it easy to securely watch your favorite college basketball team at home or on the go. You can connect up to eight devices with a single account.
College basketball Top 25 rankings
The Associated Press Top 25 releases each Monday during the college basketball season. Here is the most recent AP Top 25 poll.
| Ranking |
| 1. Kansas [30 first-place votes] |
| 2. Alabama [14 first-place votes] |
| 3. UConn [11 first-place votes] |
| 4. Houston [Four first-place votes] |
| 5. Iowa State |
| 6. Gonzaga [One first-place vote] |
| 7. Duke |
| 8. Baylor |
| 9. North Carolina |
| 10. Arizona |
| 11. Auburn |
| 12. Tennessee |
| 13. Texas A&M |
| 14. Purdue |
| 15. Creighton |
| 16. Arkansas |
| 17. Indiana |
| 18. Marquette |
| 19. Texas |
| 20. Cincinnati |
| 21. Florida |
| 22. UCLA |
| 23. Kentucky |
| 24. Ole Miss |
| 25. Rutgers |
The following teams also received votes: Illinois 92, St. John’s 91, Xavier 73, Texas Tech 58, Wake Forest 37, Kansas St 30, Michigan St. 29, Ohio St. 29, Michigan 19, BYU 14, Oregon 12, McNeese St. 11, Miami 11, Boise St. 9, Saint Louis 9, Clemson 9, Providence 9, Mississippi St. 6, VCU 6, Wisconsin 5, Saint Mary’s 5, Louisville 4, UAB 4, Ark Little Rock 3, Grand Canyon 3, Arizona St 2, San Diego St. 2, Princeton 2, High Point 1, Maryland 1.
ExpressVPN is a VPN service not intended to be used as a means of copyright circumvention. Please read the ExpressVPN Terms of Service and your content provider’s Terms of Use for more details.
FAQ for NCAA Basketball live streams
How can I watch NCAA basketball games for free?
Unfortunately, there is not a legitimate (or legal) way to stream most NCAA basketball games for free. However, some schools in lower conferences may live stream their games for free on YouTube. Make sure to check your favorite school’s schedule to see where the game is airing.
How can I watch NCAA men’s college basketball in Canada?
TSN is the exclusive Canadian broadcaster of NCAA men’s college basketball, including the NCAA Tournament. Canadian viewers who have a cable or satellite subscription that includes TSN can watch games live on TV. Please note some Canadian colleges, depending on the school, may offer alternative ways to watch games, including free live streams on YouTube.
How can I watch NCAA men’s college basketball in Mexico?
Unfortunately for Mexican basketball fans, NCAA men’s college basketball games are not typically available in Mexico.
How can I watch NCAA men’s college basketball in Europe?
Unfortunately for European basketball fans, NCAA men’s college basketball games are not typically available in Europe.
Is Amazon Prime streaming March Madness?
March Madness games are not expected to be available on Amazon Prime in 2024. However, basketball fans with an Amazon device, such as a Fire TV or tablet, can watch March Madness games on streaming services such as YouTube TV or Fubo.
Can I watch college basketball on Disney+?
No, you cannot stream college basketball games on Disney+. However, you can take advantage of Hulu’s bundle which includes ESPN+ and Disney+.
Is there an app to watch all NCAA basketball games?
No, there is not a singular app to watch all NCAA men’s college basketball games. However, streaming services like YouTube TV, Fubo, and DirecTV Stream offer most channels that air college basketball games, and those streaming services all have apps!
How can I watch NCAA women’s basketball?
You can watch NCAA women’s basketball games on a variety of streaming services, including ESPN+, Peacock, Paramount Plus, and YouTube TV. Check out our women’s basketball hub for more info!
Can I stream college basketball on my computer?
Definitely. If you’re accessing the streaming service from a web browser, be sure to also install the ExpressVPN extension for Chrome, Firefox, or Edge. The extension has a few features under the hood that can smooth out common streaming issues.
Can I stream college basketball on my phone or tablet?
Yes. ExpressVPN has apps for every major mobile device, including iOS and Android.
How can I stream college basketball on my TV with a VPN?
In brief there are five different ways to stream sports on your TV with ExpressVPN:
-With the native app for a smart TV or streaming device
-By streaming on your computer and connecting to the TV with an HDMI cable
-By mirroring or casting wirelessly to your TV or streaming device from your computer or mobile device
-By connecting to an ExpressVPN-enabled router, which allows for unlimited devices and makes it super simple to connect to different server locations simultaneously
-With MediaStreamer, ExpressVPN’s solution for devices that cannot install a VPN, such as some streaming consoles and gaming consoles. MediaStreamer only needs to be set up once, although it does not provide the full security benefits of a VPN.
For more information on all the ways to get ExpressVPN on your big-screen TV, click here or contact a 24/7 Support agent for step-by-step instructions.
I connected to the VPN but my internet speed is slow!
If your internet speed is slow or your streaming seems to lag, there are a few possible reasons:
-The distance of your selected VPN server location from your physical location
-Your connection type (wired connections are more reliable than wireless connections)
-Suboptimal interconnectivity between the VPN and your ISP
-Slow internet connection speed at your location
-Your device type and processing power
Try each of the following steps to troubleshoot:
-Download the latest version of ExpressVPN
-Connect to a different VPN server location
-Change your VPN protocol
If you try each of the above and are still experiencing issues with your streaming speed, contact the ExpressVPN Support Team 24/7 and someone will be with you in seconds.
I connected to the suggested VPN server location but I can’t log in to the streaming service!
No worries! Server load changes rapidly (especially when lots of people are trying to watch certain events), but that’s exactly why ExpressVPN has high-speed servers all over the world. If you’re trying to access a site in the U.S. or Germany, for instance, try connecting to a different server location in those countries.
If you’re trying to connect to a country with one server location, the first step is to check your location settings. If you’re on a mobile device, disconnect from the VPN, turn off location services, then connect to the VPN again. On both Windows and Mac computers, you can turn off Location Services within the Privacy & Security settings menu.
For more help, you can always talk to a member of our Support Team, available 24/7 by live chat.
What other streaming services can I watch with ExpressVPN?
ExpressVPN works seamlessly with all the most popular streaming apps from around the world. Using a VPN for streaming ensures you watch securely in blazing-fast HD with unlimited bandwidth, free from ISP throttling (which can sometimes slow down speeds). If you want to watch your favorite team from anywhere—even while traveling or on unsecured networks like public Wi-Fi—ExpressVPN is a great way to enhance your sports streaming experience.
Need step-by-step streaming help?
24-HOUR LIVE CHAT SUPPORT
I am from Greece and I am waiting to receive a tv-box with O.S. Android 11 in September. Then I will subscribe in your express vpn system because I would like to watching sports channels (college football and basketball) from Sling tv.
The only problem is my internet connection speed approx. 12 Mpbs.
Regards.
I’m trying to get Hulu. Does this app allow me to get Hulu?
Im living in Bangkok Thailand and looking to watch the NCAA
College basketball lives games ( both men & women team
I just want to know Im I in the right place to do all that ?
If Can watch those games live … then please guideline me of what to do
Thank you so much … 🙏
your chat person sent a link for virtual connection; i don’t understand how to use the site to sign up to watch the ncaa basketball tourney that ends tonight
My VPN is slowing down all of the apps on my computer. When I disengage the VPN everything’s back to normal. I have use disconnect in the past and never had issues like this. Now that I have express VPN and paid for it for the year how do I clear or speed up this VPN so that I can have Spotify and have normal usage of my Internet.
Hi Chris,
Please contact Support here: https://www.expressvpn.com/support/#open-chat
Hello,
I’m trying to watch Kansas vs. Auburn from the UK. I connected to the VPN and tried to access the website in an incognito browser but seems to be blocking me. Please help.
Hi Jon,
If you’re trying to access the NCAA March Madness Live website, please make sure you’ve installed the ExpressVPN browser extension (https://www.expressvpn.com/support/vpn-setup/expressvpn-browser-extension/) and are NOT watching the stream from an incognito browser.
For further assistance, please contact Support at https://www.expressvpn.com/support/#open-chat
I’m trying to watch March Madness from Canada. I tried to get the iOS app like you instructed, but it says I cannot get it from my app store. What should I do?
Thx
Hi Adam,
You will need to change to a U.S. App Store before you can find and download the March Madness Live app.
Please follow the instructions here (https://www.expressvpn.com/support/troubleshooting/change-app-store-country/) and download the March Madness Live app in step 10 (instead of the ExpressVPN app).
Remember to connect to a U.S. VPN location before you watch games in the March Madness Live app!
I support Villanova
Texas Tech
support UCLA
I’m picking the KANSAS!
Texas Tech
UCLA
I will support Kansas
Loyola. No doubt!
loyola fer sure
i support Texas Tech
i love Texas Tech
hala Texas Tech
Florida State
Down here in Uganda and would really love to watch this except l cnt coz of the limitations our isps impose on us. The damn bastards as if there overpriced things are not bad enough
Hi ali,
Don’t let that get in your way! Simply connect to an ExpressVPN U.S. location, open an incognito browser with cleared cookies, and you’ll be all set to watch!
Which team are you cheering for? 🙂
Texas Tech
Supporting UCLA
The cinderella team
Go Syracuse!
I’m supporting UCLA. Go Bruins!
will the ExpressVPN slow down the speed when connected to other continents servers?
Hi Adam,
It is possible there may be some minor loss of speed when connected to servers that are far from your location. However, ExpressVPN is constantly optimizing server speeds and you can use the speed test function to see which servers are best for your location!
i am about to buy express vpn to watch march madness tonight. once I have the app on my macbook pro, how do I find the games?
thanks
Hi there,
You can visit http://www.ncaa.com/march-madness-live/watch to see which channels are broadcasting the games (some may require a subscription). Just remember to connect to a U.S. server location and you’re all set!
Works on Roku?
Hi Jeffrey,
Yep! Try out the instructions at https://www.expressvpn.com/support/vpn-setup/stream-on-roku-with-virtual-router-or-router/ and feel free to contact the Support team if you run into any issues 🙂
I’m in BA Argentina and dying to watch the NCAA tournament; the DSL connection in the apartment is poor and there are no sports bars that can get the games. Do you have service here?
@expressvpn Extremely fast and efficient help, awesome connection speeds! Couldn’t be better. <3
I know tons of dudes who will be using their VPN to stream this
How do you stream it? Tried a few times with no luck.