NCAA Bracket 2012: Tournament TV Schedule and Complete Coverage Info

With March Madness just a few short hours away from getting officially underway, fans are chomping at the bit to find out where and when they'll be able to catch their favorite teams on television.

Fortunately for them, unlike in years past where they found themselves at the mercy of the dreaded coverage maps, unsure of whether their favorite school or alma mater would be a big enough deal in their market to merit a coveted spot on CBS, fans will be able to find their school on some network, regardless of whether it's North Carolina or Lamar. 

Every game will be broadcast live, in its entirety, on one of Turner's family of four networks: CBS, TNT, TBS and truTV. But when will those games be broadcast on that family of networks? Let's take a look, shall we?

All times are listed in EDT.

March 13 - Tuesday

• 6:30-11:00 PM - First Four (truTV)

March 14 - Wednesday

• 6:30-11:00 PM - First Four (truTV)

The First Four is the NCAA's set of four play in games, where eight teams square off against one another for the right to make it into the main bracket. Don't think these games matter? Think again: last year, First Four participant VCU found themselves in the Final Four, courtesy of a Cinderella run through the tournament.

Will any team have what it takes to embark on another run? Well, you'll just have to tune in and see, won't you? 

March 15 - Thursday

• 12:00-5:00 PM - Second Round (CBS)
• 7:00 PM-12:00 AM - Second Round (CBS)
• 1:30-6:00 PM - Second Round (TBS)
• 6:45 PM-12:00 AM - Second Round (TBS)
• 2:00-7:00 PM - Second Round (TNT)
• 7:15 PM-12:15 AM - Second Round (TNT)
• 12:30-5:30 PM - Second Round (truTV)
• 7:15 PM-12:15 AM - Second Round (truTV)

March 16 - Friday

• 12:00-5:00 PM - Second Round (CBS)
• 7:00 PM-12:00 AM - Second Round (CBS)
• 1:30-6:00 PM - Second Round (TBS)
• 6:45 PM-12:00 AM - Second Round (TBS)
• 2:00-7:00 PM - Second Round (TNT)
• 7:15 PM-12:15 AM - Second Round (TNT)
• 12:30-5:30 PM - Second Round (truTV)
• 7:15 PM-12:15 AM - Second Round (truTV)

For those of you sitting at home asking yourselves, "Where's the first round?" the answer is that we've already covered it. After they started the First Four last season, the NCAA decided that the round formerly known as the first round is actually the second round.

Same great Madness action, but with a shiny new name. Be ready for two marathon days of hoops, with virtual nonstop action throughout the day. 

March 17 - Saturday

• 12:00-10:00 PM - Third Round Quadruple-Header (CBS)
• 7:00 PM-12:00 AM - Third Round  (TBS)
• 6:00-10:30 PM - Third Round (TNT)

March 18 - Sunday

• 12:00-7:30 PM - Third Round Triple-Header (CBS)
• 7:00 PM-12 AM - Third Round  (TBS)
• 6:00-10:30 PM - Third Round (TNT)
• 7:30 PM - Third Round (truTV)

Yes, you're reading that right; the greatest weekend in sports extends through St. Patrick's Day this season. That means nonstop basketball action all day Saturday and all day Sunday. 

March 22 - Thursday

• 7:00 PM-12:00 AM - Regional Semifinals (CBS) 
• 7:15 PM-12:30 AM - Regional Semifinals (TBS)

March 23 - Friday

• 7:00 PM-12:00 AM - Regional Semifinals (CBS)
• 7:15 PM-12:30 AM - Regional Semifinals (TBS)

The coverage begins to consolidate in the Sweet 16, as we move from four networks to just two, TBS and CBS. This will become a common thread throughout the rest of the rounds, as we continue to condense the schedule. Don't fret; it just means we don't have to search for the Madness. 

March 24 - Saturday

• 3:00-4:30 PM - The Road to the Final Four
• 4:30-9:00 PM - Elite Eight (CBS)

March 25 - Sunday

• 2:00-7:00 PM - Elite Eight (CBS)

As the field pares down, so does CBS' coverage. As you can see, we've moved from all-day games to just five hours of coverage on Saturday and Sunday. Still more than enough Madness action to get your fix, but not nearly as much to suck up your whole day. 

March 31 - Saturday

• Noon - College All-Star Game (truTV)
• 3:30 PM - The Road to the Final Four: Outside the Games
• 4:00-6:00 PM - The Final Four Show
• 6:00-11:00 PM - Men's Final Four (CBS)

The weekend we've all been waiting for; the Final Four tips off in prime time this weekend. You've got enough pre-game action to keep you entertained all day Saturday, then have the games start right when your pizza arrives.

April 2 - Monday

• 9 PM - Prelude to a Championship
• 9:30-11:30 PM - NCAA Men's Championship (CBS)

As you can see, the title tilt is tipping off late in the day, well beyond primetime in your average market. But, it insures that even your West Coast friends will be off work in time to enjoy the culmination of the greatest three weeks in all of sports.