How to Watch Louisville's Second Round NCAA Tournament Matchup vs. Michigan State

The Cardinals and Spartans meet once again in the Big Dance, this time with a trip to the Sweet 16 on the line.

Mar 19, 2026; Buffalo, NY, USA; Louisville Cardinals guard Ryan Conwell (3) drives to the basket during the second half against the South Florida Bulls during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Keybank Center. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images | Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - After nearly a decade of waiting, the Louisville men's basketball program was finally able to win an NCAA Tournament game. As reward for their patience and resolve, they now have a meeting with Michigan State waiting for them in the second round.

The sixth-seeded Cardinals had to hold on for dear life in their tournament opener, but held on they did, earning an 83-79 win over 11th-seeded South Florida in a game where they led by as much as 23. Not only does UofL earn their first win in the NCAA Tournament since 2017, second-year head coach Pat Kelsey secures his first NCAA Tournament victory as well after previously being 0-5.

Louisville shot a blazing 13-of-25 on three-point tries and 28-of-52 overall, but had a season-high 22 turnovers, which allowed South Florida to be able to put together a comeback attempt. Fortunately, the Cards held the Bulls to just 5-of-33 from deep, and 30-of-77 overall. Isaac McKneely led the way, scoring a team-high 23 points on 8-of-11 shooting and 7-of-10 on threes

As for the Spartans - who earned a No. 3 seed for the tournament despite going 6-5 over their previous 11 games entering the Big Dance - they started their NCAA Tournament run in style, blowing out 14th-seeded North Dakota State 92-67 in the first round. Center Carson Cooper scored a team-high 20 points, while All-American point guard Jeremy Fears Jr. finished with seven points and 11 assists.

This will be the 13th all-time meeting between the two programs, with the series dead even at six wins a piece. The Spartans claimed the last matchup against the Cardinals, winning 73-64 back on Dec. 1, 2021 in East Lansing.

This will also be the fifth meeting between Louisville and Michigan State in the NCAA Tournament, with the that series also dead even at two wins a piece. The Cards won 88-81 in the Regional Final of the 1959 tournament to advance to their first Final Four, and also claimed a 57-44 Sweet 16 victory in 2012. Sparty won 64-52 in the 2009 Elite Eight, then more recently 76-70 in overtime in the Elite Eight of the 2015 Big Dance.

NCAA Tournament Second Round | No. 3 Michigan State Spartans (26-7, 15-5 Big 10) vs. No. 6 Louisville Cardinals (24-10, 11-7 ACC)

• Date/Time: Saturday, Mar. 21 at 2:45 p.m. EST.
• Place: KeyBank Center in Buffalo, N.Y.
• TV: CBS - Brian Anderson (Play-by-play), Jim Jackson (analyst) and Allie LaForce (sideline).
• Channel (Louisville)/Live Stream: Spectrum: 5; Dish: 32; DirecTV: 32.
• Radio (Louisville): 93.9 FM - Paul Rogers (play-by-play) and Bob Valvano (analyst).

(Photo of Ryan Conwell, Vangelis Zougris: Gregory Fisher - Imagn Images)

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