Texas vs Missouri State 2026 Women's March Madness

The 2026 Women's NCAA Tournament is officially underway, and one of the most lopsided — yet still compelling — first-round matchups features the No. 1 seed Texas Longhorns hosting the No. 16 seed Missouri State Lady Bears at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas. Tipoff was at 4 p.m. ET on March 20, 2026, and early live scores reflected exactly what analysts predicted: Texas led 19-3 in the first quarter, with their win probability sitting at a staggering 99.9%.

Whether you're a die-hard Longhorns fan, a casual bracket-watcher, or someone scrambling to find where to stream the game, this guide breaks down everything you need to know — from how the two teams stack up to the best ways to catch every minute of March Madness action.

Texas Longhorns vs. Missouri State Lady Bears: Full Team Breakdown

Before diving into streaming options and predictions, let's examine how these two programs compare heading into one of the most anticipated first-round matchups on the women's side of the bracket.

No. 1 Seed: Texas Longhorns

• Overall Record: 31-3
• Home Record: 18-0 at the Moody Center this season
• Seeding: No. 1 seed in the 2026 Women's NCAA Tournament
• Venue Advantage: Playing on home court in Austin, Texas
• Spread: Favored by 44.5 to 47.5 points

Texas enters March Madness as one of the most dominant teams in women's college basketball. Their 31-3 record is a testament to a program operating at an elite level, and their undefeated 18-0 home record makes the Moody Center one of the most intimidating venues in the country. The Longhorns were favored by nearly 45 points — a spread that reflects just how wide the talent gap is between a blue-chip No. 1 seed and a No. 16.

No. 16 Seed: Missouri State Lady Bears

• Overall Record: 23-12
• Seeding: No. 16 seed in the 2026 Women's NCAA Tournament
• Conference: Missouri Valley Conference
• Challenge: Facing a team playing at home with a 99.9% win probability

Missouri State's 23-12 record earned them a tournament bid, but a No. 16 seed draw against the top overall contender is about as difficult a path as the bracket can generate. Some analysts cautioned Texas not to overlook the Lady Bears, but the early 19-3 first-quarter score suggests the Longhorns were not taking any chances.

How to Watch: Top Streaming & Viewing Options for Women's March Madness 2026

The game airs live on ESPN, but cord-cutters have several options to stream the action. Here's a breakdown of every platform carrying the Texas vs. Missouri State first-round game, including key features, pros, cons, and current pricing.

1. ESPN App / ESPN Unlimited

Key Features

• Official broadcast partner for Women's March Madness
• Live game access with real-time scores and stats
• Available on iOS, Android, Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, and web browsers
• Includes ESPN+ content alongside live linear ESPN channels

Pros

• Direct source — no signal delay concerns
• Best integrated experience for scores, highlights, and replays
• Access to live ESPN game scores and updates

Cons

• Requires an ESPN Unlimited or qualifying cable/streaming subscription
• ESPN Unlimited pricing is higher than basic ESPN+

Price Range: ESPN+ starts at $11.99/month; ESPN Unlimited bundles vary

2. Fubo TV

Key Features

• Carries live ESPN channels, including ESPN and ESPN2
• Cloud DVR with up to 1,000 hours of storage on higher tiers
• Supports multiple simultaneous streams
• Available on all major streaming devices and smart TVs

Pros

• No annual contract required
• Strong sports-focused channel lineup
• Free trial available for new subscribers

Cons

• One of the pricier live TV streaming services
• Regional blackouts may apply in some markets

Price Range: Starting at approximately $79.99/month

3. Sling TV

Key Features

• Offers ESPN access through its Orange package
• Customizable channel add-ons for sports fans
• Cloud DVR included with most plans
• Compatible with Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, and mobile devices

Pros

• Most affordable live TV streaming option with ESPN
• No long-term contracts
• Frequent promotional pricing and first-month discounts

Cons

• Orange plan limits simultaneous streams to one
• DVR storage is more limited than competitors

Price Range: Sling Orange starts at approximately $40/month

4. DirecTV Stream

Key Features

• Carries ESPN and ESPN2 on all major packages
• No satellite dish required — fully cloud-based
• Unlimited DVR cloud storage on higher plans
• Available on smart TVs, streaming devices, and mobile

Pros

• Robust channel lineup including regional sports networks
• Strong reliability and picture quality
• Good option for households that previously used satellite DirecTV

Cons

• No free trial currently available
• Price increases have made it one of the more expensive options

Price Range: Starting at approximately $64.99/month

5. YouTube TV

Key Features

• Includes ESPN and all ESPN-family channels
• Unlimited DVR storage for up to 9 months
• Up to 3 simultaneous streams included
• 4K streaming available as an add-on

Pros

• Best DVR offering of any live TV streaming service
• Clean, easy-to-use interface
• Excellent for households that want to record multiple March Madness games

Cons

• Pricing has increased significantly in recent years
• 4K add-on costs extra

Price Range: Approximately $72.99/month

Comparison Summary: Best Ways to Watch Texas vs. Missouri State

For fans looking to watch the Texas vs. Missouri State March Madness game, here's a quick comparison to help you choose:

• Best for budget: Sling TV Orange (~$40/month) — the most affordable way to access ESPN live
• Best for sports fans: Fubo TV — sports-first lineup with excellent March Madness coverage
• Best for DVR: YouTube TV — unlimited cloud DVR to catch every first-round game
• Best for ESPN integration: ESPN Unlimited — direct app access with in-game stats and highlights
• Best for existing DirecTV users: DirecTV Stream — familiar interface with no dish required

Live Score Alert: As of the first quarter on March 20, 2026, Texas led Missouri State 19-3 with a 99.9% win probability. Follow the live ESPN score here.

Game Analysis: What the Numbers Say

The matchup between Texas and Missouri State is one of the most predictable on paper in the entire 2026 Women's NCAA Tournament bracket. Here's what the data tells us:

• Point spread: Texas was favored by 44.5 to 47.5 points — among the largest spreads in tournament history
• Home advantage: Texas went 18-0 at the Moody Center this season, making them nearly unbeatable on their own floor
• Win probability: Oddsmakers and analytics models placed Texas's win probability at 99.9% — essentially a foregone conclusion
• Record disparity: Texas's 31-3 record vs. Missouri State's 23-12 tells a clear story about program depth

For context on how these odds and predictions were calculated, see Texas vs Missouri State predictions, picks, and odds analysis.

FAQ: Texas vs. Missouri State — Women's March Madness 2026

When and where is the Texas vs. Missouri State game?

The game tipped off at 4 p.m. ET on Friday, March 20, 2026, at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas. Texas is playing on its home court, giving the Longhorns an additional advantage over the traveling Lady Bears. See full viewing details via MSN's game preview.

What TV channel and streaming services carry the game?

The game airs on ESPN and is available to stream on ESPN Unlimited, Fubo, Sling TV, and DirecTV Stream. If you have a cable or satellite subscription that includes ESPN, you can also watch through the ESPN app with your provider login.

Is a No. 16 seed upset against Texas realistic?

Historically speaking, upsets do happen in March Madness — it's part of what makes the tournament so compelling. However, with Texas favored by nearly 45 points, unbeaten at home all season, and boasting a 31-3 record, the statistical probability of a Missouri State upset is essentially zero. The early 19-3 first-quarter score confirmed the Longhorns' dominance from the opening tip.

Who should I watch for on Texas?

Texas has been one of the nation's elite women's programs in 2026, with a balanced roster capable of scoring from multiple positions. Their 31-3 record reflects consistent excellence on both ends of the floor, and their home crowd at the Moody Center adds another layer of energy to an already dominant unit.

Viewing Guide: Tips for Watching March Madness Without Missing a Game

• Use a free trial strategically: Services like Fubo TV offer free trials for new users. If you only want to watch the first round, sign up and cancel before billing begins.
• Check your existing subscriptions: If you already subscribe to Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, or DirecTV Stream, you likely already have access to ESPN without any additional cost.
• Download the ESPN app: Even without ESPN Unlimited, the ESPN app provides live scores, push notifications, and game highlights for every March Madness game — free of charge.
• Set up DVR for later rounds: The Women's NCAA Tournament spans multiple weekends. Services like YouTube TV (unlimited DVR) make it easy to record and watch games you miss live.
• Check your internet speed: For HD or 4K streaming, aim for at least 25 Mbps for a smooth experience. Multiple streams in the same household will require more bandwidth.
• Use the ESPN bracket tracker: The ESPN Tournament Challenge app lets you track your bracket picks in real time alongside live scores — an essential companion for any March Madness fan.

Whether you're watching Texas cruise to the second round or rooting for the unlikely Missouri State miracle, the 2026 Women's NCAA Tournament is in full swing. Grab your preferred streaming service, pull up the live ESPN game score, and enjoy one of college sports' most exciting annual traditions.