The Memorial Gymnasium in Nashville will be rocking this Saturday, March 21, as the #2 seed Vanderbilt Commodores begin their 2026 tournament run against the #15 seed High Point Panthers. This First Round matchup in the Fort Worth 1 Regional features Shea Ralph’s record-breaking SEC squad looking to protect their home floor against a High Point team that dominated the Big South to secure their highest seed in program history.

The Vanderbilt Commodores (27-4) enter the tournament as one of the hottest teams in the country, led by sophomore sensation and SEC Player of the Year Mikayla Blakes, who led the nation in scoring at 27.0 PPG. Supported by SEC Freshman of the Year Aubrey Galvan, the "Dores" boast a high-octane offense that ranks 8th nationally. They face a High Point (27-5) team that swept the Big South regular season and tournament titles. The Panthers are led by Macy Spencer (18.4 PPG) and the veteran presence of Lexi Fleming. While High Point brings a disciplined defense to the "Music City," they face a Vanderbilt team that has already collected eight Quad 1 wins and hasn't lost at home in over two months.

How to watch High Point Panthers vs Vanderbilt Commodores

Saturday's NCAA Tournament First Round game will be broadcast nationally on ESPNEWS. Tip-off is scheduled for the evening session in Nashville, followed by the #7 Illinois vs. #10 Colorado matchup.

National TV ESPNEWS (via Sling)
Radio (Vanderbilt) Vanderbilt Sports Network
Radio (High Point) Panther Sports Network
Live Stream Sling TV (Orange + Sports Extra)
Game Time 7:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM CT

Betting Odds: High Point vs Vanderbilt

Oddsmakers expect the SEC's Player of the Year to lead a dominant performance in front of the home crowd.

  • Spread: Vanderbilt -38.5

  • Over/Under: 147.5

  • Moneyline: N/A (Vanderbilt is a prohibitive favorite)

Betting Insight: Vanderbilt's offense is elite, but they also hold a top-10 NET ranking due to their defensive efficiency. For High Point to cover the 38.5-point spread, Macy Spencer will need a career night from beyond the arc to match the pace of Mikayla Blakes.

Matchup Prediction: Vanderbilt vs High Point

High Point has had a historic season, but the gap in athleticism and bench depth favors Vanderbilt. Coach Shea Ralph will likely utilize Sacha Washington to control the paint early, forcing the Panthers to collapse and leaving lanes open for Mikayla Blakes. High Point’s best chance is to slow the game down and force Vanderbilt into a half-court grind, but the Commodores' transition game is too potent. Expect Vanderbilt to pull away early and rotate their bench in the second half.

Final Score Prediction: Vanderbilt 92, High Point 51

How to watch the Women's Tournament on Sling TV

Sling TV is the most affordable way to watch the 2026 Women's NCAA Tournament. Since this game is on ESPNEWS, you'll need the Sports Extra add-on.

The Tournament Essential - Sling Orange

  • Sling Orange ($40/mo): This core package provides access to ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN3. It is the foundation for following the SEC’s top contenders.

Sling Sports Extra for ESPNEWS Access

  • Add Sports Extra ($11/mo): Many First Round games air on ESPNEWS and ESPNU. Adding Sports Extra ensures you don't miss Vanderbilt’s opener or any other regional upsets.

High Point vs Vanderbilt FAQ

What channel is High Point vs Vanderbilt on? The game will be televised nationally on ESPNEWS. Fans can also stream the broadcast through the ESPN app or via Sling TV with the Sports Extra pack.

What time is the Vanderbilt women's basketball game today? The game tips off this Saturday, March 21, at 7:00 PM ET (6:00 PM local time in Nashville).

Where can I stream Vanderbilt vs High Point without cable? The best option is Sling TV Orange + Sports Extra, which includes ESPNEWS. This setup allows you to watch every first-round game across the entire ESPN family.

Where is the Vanderbilt tournament game being played? Vanderbilt is hosting the First and Second Rounds at their home venue, Memorial Gymnasium, in Nashville, TN.