Wednesday Morning Cardinal News And Notes

In news that caused a bit of an uproar amongst U of L fans on Tuesday, ESPN has Louisville at No. 50 in its Preseason Power Index, and predicts a 7-5 season for the Cards.

KFC Yum Center officials said Tuesday they expect to end the year with about $1.4 million in operating profit.

CBS' Jeff Borzello breaks down Deng Adel's commitment to Louisville.

How he fits at Louisville: Adel is a long athlete that will continue to get better as he plays more on American soil. He's only been in the United States for less than a year, yet his game is growing at a rapid rate. Offensively, Adel's ability to finish at the rim and knock down the 3-point shot is what stands out. He has good range on his jumper, but is also capable of going off the bounce and taking it into traffic. He's not a great ball-handler or playmaker, two areas he could improve upon over the next couple years. Defensively, he has the tools to be very solid at that end of the floor. The effort is there, too. Adel will likely replace Wayne Blackshear when he arrives at Louisville, as Blackshear will be entering his senior season. Pitino needed a wing forward in this class, and Adel is that guy. Incoming freshman Shaqquan can play multiple spots on the perimeter, while Terry Rozier, Anton Gill and Quentin Snider will be the only other returning players in the backcourt. There are minutes to be had for Adel in the 2015-16 season; fortunately for Pitino, Adel's ceiling is very high.

What it means for Louisville's class: Adel is the first commitment in Louisville's class, and he does fill the small forward aim for Pitino in 2015. The Cardinals will likely lose at least three players from the upcoming season, with Chris Jones and Wayne Blackshear entering their senior seasons and Montrezl Harrell expected to enter the NBA draft. Terry Rozier could be another early-entry candidate if he has a breakout season. There are still several targets in the class of 2015 for Louisville, though, most notably in the backcourt. The Cardinals are going to be shorthanded at the guard position, especially if Rozier leaves, and Pitino is in pursuit of several options. Antonio Blakeney is the prime target, but Kentucky offering him over the weekend puts into doubt whether he's favoring Louisville anymore. Five-star scorer Allonzo Trier is another main option, but Arizona is squarely in the mix there. Donovan Mitchell received an offer over the weekend, and the New York native has risen up the board. Isaiah Briscoe and Bryant Crawford are also names. Up front, local forward Raymond Spalding has long called Louisville his favorite. Five-star Stephen Zimmerman is also on the board, but a name to keep an eye on could be power forward Aric Holman. The Kentucky native boosted his stock over the weekend, and Louisville is interested.

Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables had some very complimentary (audio interview) words for DeVante Parker.

This...this doesn't seem fair.

Guess our women are taking it up a notch... @CardChronicle pic.twitter.com/HefamCZxpr

— Marshall Kellner (@CardFanAllDay) July 15, 2014

Should be a big-time boost for the ladies' strength of schedule.

CBS' Derek Stephens takes a look at the 2015 NFL Draft prospects on Louisville's 2014 roster. DeVante Parker, Lorenzo Mauldin, Jake Smith, John Miller, Dom Brown, Michael Dyer, Jamon Brown and Gerald Christian all get some love.

According to Scout.com's Evan Daniels, Louisville has extended a scholarship offer to class of 2015 shooting guard Prince Ali. In addition to a deadly outside shot, I hear he has 95 white Persian monkeys. The good news, if he comes to U of L, is that to view them he charges no fee.

Plenty more where that came from if you wind up playing for the Cards, Prince.

Cool video on U of L student life from...U of L.

Changing conferences has sparked changes in ticket prices for Rutgers, Maryland and Louisville.

Fox Soccer lists former Card Andrew Farrell as one of 11 players to watch during the next World Cup cycle.

Former national softball star Stacy May-Johnson has joined the U of L staff.

Nailed it.

Jeff Brohm's Western Kentucky program will be hosting a kickoff party in Louisville on July 29 at the Buffalo Wild Wings in St. Matthews.

Syracuse.com continues its countdown of all 124 FCS college football teams, and has Kentucky at No. 81. Former conference mate South Florida checks in at No. 84.

I haven't lost any faith in the city of Louisville, but if I had, this would restore it.

Also from Neilsen, ESPNU’s #SEC media days complete coverage in Louisville market did not draw enough of a viewership to earn a rating.

— Eric Crawford (@ericcrawford) July 15, 2014

ESPN's Dana O'Neill lists her eight college hoops fashion faux pas, which includes the non-injury arm sleeves Montrezl Harrell is so fond of.

Congratulations to U of L golfers Gus Lundquist and Robert Geibel, who have joined J.D. Lehman to become the second and third Cardinals in less than a week to qualify for the 2014 U.S. Amateur.

I enjoy this.

Who is ready for some football? pic.twitter.com/spTTl09Mll

— Louisville Equipment (@UofLEquipment) July 14, 2014

Earlier this week, former five-star recruit Emmanuel Mudiay made the announcement that he would spend his one post-high school season playing abroad, and not for the SMU program he signed with. While this is a big blow for Larry Brown's Mustangs, Yahoo's Jeff Eisenberg says don't expect it to start a trend.

The News-Gazette (East Central Illinois) has more on Eric Snider joining the Louisville baseball staff.

Best comment section work of the summer.

Uh-huh. Uh-huh...Ok, I see your point. No, I think you nailed it....Well I can't disagree with that. pic.twitter.com/mty6H5jmwf

— Mike Rutherford (@CardChronicle) July 15, 2014

I. Love. UI athketics.

Three-star running back Deshawn McClease, who had been considering Louisville, committed to Virginia Tech on Tuesday.

The Big Time Yurts guys are trying to get back into the billboard game.

Richard Pitino's Minnesota squad is one of a handful that is reconsidering its participation in the struggling NIT Season Tip-Off tournament.

The writers and commenters over at Detroit Bad Boys are sad to see Peyton Siva go.

He's not even expected to start in week one, but Yahoo has Teddy Bridgewater ranked as the 27th-best fantasy quarterback for the 2014 season.

Try reading this tweet in something other than the Pigs In Space voice.

Next mission: CCBM in space. #CCBM #NASA @CardChronicle @GD_Superman388 ⭐️ ✨ pic.twitter.com/d9TXPY72Yw

— Sarah Arnold (@OhSoSarahh) July 14, 2014

ESPN affiliate Bourbon Street Shots reacts to the Pelicans signing Russ Smith.

Louisville has long been considered the leader for five-star recruit Antonio Blakeney, but that's starting to change now that Kentucky has offered the prolific scorer. Blakeney recently said that he'll probably attend UK's Midnight Madness.

According to our main man Kevin Harned, Louisville might experience record lows in temperature tonight.

Former Card Tyrus McCloud gets a nod as the third best linebacker in Conference USA history.

3. Tyrus McCloud (Louisville, 1995-96): He earned the first two Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year honors. He was named second-team All-American by the Sporting News in 1995 and finished with 405 career tackles.

As you might expect, the hiring of Charlie Strong is ranked as the top offseason sports story in the Dallas area.

The New York Knicks are apparently mulling over the idea of signing former Card Terrence Jennings. Ok, but what about Bearrence Jennings?

And finally, Fox says Sheldon Rankins could be one of the ACC's biggest breakout stars on defense.