The path back to March relevance won’t be easy for the Cardinals, who open the NCAA Tournament Thursday against one of the hottest teams in the country.
In a first-round game in Buffalo, the Louisville Cardinals (6) will take on the South Florida Bulls (11). The game will air on TNT, and tipoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. ET at the KeyBank Center.
A Dangerous First-Round Draw
A fiery South Florida team on an 11-game winning streak is in the way of Louisville’s hopes of winning its first tournament game in almost ten years.
With one of the fastest-paced and highest-scoring offenses in the country, the Bulls have dominated the American Athletic Conference under head coach Bryan Hodgson.
Their ability to push tempo and score in bunches has made them a popular upset pick across national media and betting markets.
Louisville head coach Pat Kelsey acknowledged the challenge, noting South Florida is “playing its best basketball at the right time.”
Many analysts think the matchup is far from certain, even though Louisville is ranked higher.
South Florida’s strong rebounding, exceptional offensive output and a variety of perimeter threats will test Louisville’s defense, which has struggled against elite opponents.
Mikel Brown Jr., Louisville’s star player, has missed games due to a back injury and is still uncertain going into Thursday. His availability could significantly impact the Cardinals’ offensive ceiling.
The winner will move on to face either Michigan State or North Dakota State in the second round on Saturday.
You can watch the game this Thursday on TNT.
This article appears in March 1-24, 2026.