Louisville vs. South Florida: Time, TV channel, live stream for March Madness Round 1 game

The Cardinals will be without one of their top players for the NCAA Tournament opener against the Bulls.

Mar. 19, 2026 at 5:20am

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Louisville will take on South Florida in the opening round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament, with the game set to tip off at 1:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 19. The Cardinals will be without freshman guard Mikel Brown Jr., who is sidelined with a back injury. South Florida enters the tournament on a hot streak, having won its last several games, including the American Conference championship.

Why it matters

This first-round matchup between Louisville and South Florida features two teams looking to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament. The absence of Brown Jr. for Louisville could be a significant factor, as he has been one of the Cardinals' top players this season. South Florida, meanwhile, has been playing well lately and will look to pull off the upset.

The details

Louisville will be without freshman guard Mikel Brown Jr. for the NCAA Tournament opener against South Florida due to a back injury. Brown has missed the Cardinals' last four games, with his most recent appearance coming in a loss to Clemson on Feb. 28. South Florida, on the other hand, has been on a roll, winning its last several games, including the American Conference championship game against Wichita State. Junior guard Wes Enis led the way for the Bulls in that victory, scoring 19 points.

  • The Louisville vs. South Florida game is scheduled to tip off at 1:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 19.
  • The 2026 NCAA Tournament Final Four is set for April 4 and 6 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

The players

Mikel Brown Jr.

A freshman guard for Louisville who will miss the NCAA Tournament opener due to a back injury.

Wes Enis

A junior guard for South Florida who scored 19 points in the team's American Conference championship game victory.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

The 2026 NCAA Tournament will continue with the second round on March 21-22, followed by the Sweet 16 on March 26-27 and the Elite Eight on March 28-29. The Final Four is scheduled for April 4, with the national championship game set for April 6 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

The takeaway

This first-round matchup between Louisville and South Florida will be an intriguing one, as both teams look to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament. The absence of Mikel Brown Jr. for Louisville could be a significant factor, while South Florida will try to continue its recent hot streak and pull off the upset.