March Madness is here, and if you’re anything like me, you’re not about to miss a single buzzer-beater, upset or last-second miracle shot. But if you’re also like me, you don’t have cable, and you know that streaming a live game without buffering is basically its own sport. Luckily, working for Ting has taught me a few tricks for streaming games buffer-free.

Step 1: Check if your internet can handle the madness

Not all Wi-Fi is built for live sports, and if your connection can’t keep up, you’ll be watching pixelated stick figures instead of basketball players. You can test your current speeds with our free test here.

Okay, now that you’ve checked your speeds, here’s what they mean.

• 10 Mbps or less: This might work if no one else in your house is online, but to be honest—it’s going to be a buffering nightmare.
• 25 Mbps: This is the safe zone for HD streaming, assuming you’re not also trying to update your phone, stream music, or upload a TikTok mid-game.
• 100+ Mbps: Now we’re talking. This is the real MVP of speeds, keeping your stream crystal clear in HD or 4K with no interruptions.

Step 2: Pick the right device to stream on

Some devices just aren’t built for fast, high-quality live streams and will turn your 4K game into a low-res mess that looks like a ‘90s video game.

Here’s what actually works:

• Best for 4K sports: Roku Ultra, Apple TV 4K
• Fast and easy: Amazon Fire Stick 4K Max, Chromecast with Google TV
• On a laptop? Hook it up to your TV with an HDMI cable for a smoother experience.
• Watching on the go? Download the NCAA March Madness app (and maybe pray your mobile data holds up).

Before tip-off, test your setup. Make sure your device can actually handle the stream so you don’t spend the first half troubleshooting while everyone else is enjoying the game.

Step 3: Where to stream the games without cable

Now, let’s talk about where to actually find the games, because navigating streaming options is somehow harder than making a perfect bracket. Here’s where you can stream every game, legally and (mostly) easily:

1. The NCAA March Madness Live App: This is free—but only if you have a cable login. If you’ve got a friend, parent, or generous stranger willing to share their login, this might be your best option.
2. YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, or DirecTV Stream: These are the best cable alternatives if you want full access to every game. They all have CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV, which is where the magic happens.
3. Paramount+: CBS games only. Great if you just want to catch the big matchups but not ideal for full coverage.
4. Network Websites & Apps: You can sometimes stream games directly from CBS, TBS, TNT, or truTV’s websites. It’s not the most seamless experience, but hey—it works in a pinch.

Pro Tip: If you’re traveling and suddenly find out your streaming service won’t work in your current location, a VPN might save your game day. (Not that we’re saying you should do that. But, you know, the internet exists.)

Your pre-game checklist

If you wait until the last minute to test your setup, you’re asking for chaos. Avoid the tech meltdown and do this first:

• Run a speed test 
• Restart your router 
• Check your login credentials
• Stock up on snacks

You’re all set to watch the madness unfold without buffering, login errors, or laggy screens. And if your internet is still letting you down… maybe it’s time to switch to a provider that actually delivers the speeds (like Ting).