The presence of basketball and the absence of CBS’ lineup offer viewers second chances at two new, yet very different dramas. The plot thickens on “Missing” (7 p.m., ABC) as Becca (Ashley Judd) makes a deal with French intelligence that has some sticky strings attached.

Viewers at home won’t be the only ones watching this closely. “Missing” opened relatively well for ABC; a second outing should indicate whether that represented genuine interest in this scenery-rich and just-short-of-camp drama, or mere curiosity to see how Ashley Judd would perform as an action hero.

Tonight also marks the second outing for “Touch” (8 p.m., Fox), a more ponderous and borderline pretentious drama about the cosmic connections that we dare not call coincidences. In many ways, it resembles “Person of Interest,” another series featuring a troubled character plucked from the masses each week by some magical algorithm.

Tonight, a web of numbers leads us into a web of connected threads involving a despondent pawnbroker, a reluctant hit man, a wayward dog, a son’s duty to an unloving father and a mobster father’s need for his son’s approval. Tying this all together requires real suspension of disbelief and several bus rides to boot.

• Whether it’s NCAA basketball or the mere presence of “American Idol,” much of cable has gone into serious counter-programming mode, offering a menu of sameness that may drive some to despair. The evening is filled with many series airing in back-to-back helpings, if not in triplicate.

Bio offers two helpings of “Celebrity House Hunting”: Debbie Gibson (9 p.m.), Verne Troyer (9:30 p.m.). Catch three installments of “Top Gear” (7 p.m., BBC America); three episodes of “Braxton Family Values,” including the season finale at 8 p.m. (WE); three chances to breathe in “Swamp People” (7 p.m., History); three samplings of “Four Weddings” (7 p.m., TLC); and three repeats of “Deal or No Deal” (7 p.m., GSN).

The USA network offers the ultimate choice for viewers in default mode: a primetime consisting of three solid hours of “NCIS” (7 p.m.).

Tonight’s other highlights

• Regional semifinals take center stage at the 2012 NCAA Basketball Tournament (6 p.m., CBS; 6:15 TBS).

• A singer goes home on “American Idol” (7 p.m., Fox).