Louisville vs. Vermont game time set for 2026 NCAA Tournament opener

Third-seeded Louisville women’s basketball will get its NCAA Tournament journey started by playing Vermont, the 14th seed, at noon Saturday at the KFC Yum! Center. The game will be broadcast on ESPN. This is the first time since 2022 that the Cardinals have hosted the first two rounds of the Big Dance and seventh overall time of being a host seed.

The Catamounts are on a five-game winning streak heading into the first-round contest while the Cardinals are looking to rebound after falling to Duke in the ACC Tournament championship game.

When is Louisville vs. Vermont in Women’s March Madness?

Watch Louisville vs. Vermont on Fubo

Louisville and Vermont will face each other at noon Saturday.

Louisville vs. Vermont predictions

Louisville 89, Vermont 54.

Where to watch Louisville vs. Vermont

The Cardinals’ first-round NCAA Tournament game against the Catamounts will be broadcast on ESPN.

Louisville March Madness bracket predictions

Despite some struggles playing at home in the regular season, Louisville will have no problem making it out of the first weekend. The Cards’ Sweet 16 potential matchup is also favorable. They have a good chance of upsetting second-seeded Michigan. If the Wolverines get upset by seventh-seeded N.C. State or 10th-seeded Tennessee, that’s also favorable for Louisville. The Cards have regular-season wins over both the Wolfpack and Volunteers.

Next up would likely be No. 1-seeded Texas, which is where Louisville’s trip will end. For as dominant as UofL has shown it can be this season, the Longhorns are extremely experienced and have too much in their arsenal for a potential upset. The Cards won’t make a Final Four this year, but an Elite Eight appearance will be the boost the program needs after the past two seasons.

Reach Louisville football, women’s basketball and baseball beat writer Alexis Cubit at acubit@gannett.com and follow her on X at @Alexis_Cubit.