How to Use Google Assistant for March Madness Listening

As March Madness rolls into its final days, the drudgery of work can get in the way. But seriously, what’s more important than NCAA hoops this time of the year, particularly when your alma mater is still in the mix? Solve that dilemma by asking Google Assistant to tune you into the Westwood One radio network, enabling a live audio stream of play-by-play action and commentary. The command “Hey Google, play March Madness on Westwood One” will get things playing while you keep working.

Smart displays, such as the Google Home Hub, are ideal for listening to the big games. Image: Digitized House Media.

Hey Google, Let the Games Begin

Now, while Google Assistant and Westwood One services themselves are free, you will need to have at least one Google Home-compatible smart speaker or smart display in order to hear the games. Google Assistant on your smartphone can’t play the game, but it can direct your Google speaker to do so.

The Home screen on a smart display will show the currently playing stream. Image: Digitized House Media.

We think this works best on displays like the Google Home Hub or its larger work-alike siblings from JBL, Lenovo, and others. But any Google Home, Google Home Mini, or Google Home Max speaker setup will also do nicely.

Try These Commands

On voice commands for your specific favorites competing in the 2019 NCAA Division 1 Men’s Basketball Tournament, you can ask Google Assistant the following command by simply substituting your team’s name: “Hey Google, when’s the next Purdue game?”

You can also use the following commands to sort through the March Madness and Final Four action:

“Hey Google, what’s the latest March Madness news?”
“Hey Google, did Gonzaga win?”
“Hey Google, when’s the next March Madness game?”
“Hey Google, who’s going to the Final Four?”

Have fun tuning in while you’re cranking out the work.