The Louisville Cardinals are starting their March Madness run at home for the first time since 2022  when they start Saturday against Vermont. The challenge for Louisville is the KFC Yum! Center has not been the friendliest of confines for coach Jeff Walz and his Cardinals. That's why Walz is treating the opening rounds of the tournament like it’s the ACC Tournament. The Cardinals are staying in a hotel even though they’re the host squad. The other game in Louisville features Alabama in its fourth consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament and fifth in six years. The Crimson Tide play Rhode Island.