Wednesday evening Cardinal news and notes

—Spread check (basketball): Louisville by 23.5.

—Donovan Mitchell has gone national this week, in a major way.

—Courtney Ramey, who Louisville is still pursuing, has scheduled official visits to Oklahoma State, Villanova and Texas.

—Wherever you go, there you are.

—I’m not sure how I missed this compilation of Kentucky fans’ threatening calls to John Higgins, but it’s incredible.

—NCAA President Mark Emmert actually said this today:

"Is this a part of someone being part of you university as a student-athlete or is it about using college athletics to prepare yourself to be a pro? If it's the latter, you shouldn't be there in the first place."

Right, because no one is using college as a stepping stone to making money. It’s almost like he’s unfit for his position or something.

—Love this dude.

—Freakin’ Louisville media man.

—Better question.

—Villanova is awesome again and I wrote a little about the perception of their program still being undervalued. Also, Jay Wright is handsome.

—Ball State stunned No. 9 Notre Dame in South Bend last night, a monumental victory for a team still trying to cope with the suicide of teammate Zach Hollywood over the summer.

—He’s just a runner. Can’t make professional throws.

—Jeff Greer profiles Siena coach Jimmy Patsos.

—Patsos talking about eating hot dogs at 4 a.m. on Bardstown Rd. during Derby Week should be enough to make you root for Siena after tonight’s game.

—For any Louisville fans in the South Florida area, there will be an alumni game watch for the Indiana game at Red Rock Oasis and Grill in the Coconut Creek Promenade (4443 Lyons Rd, # D103 Coconut Creek, Florida 33073).

—Love this video.

—My colleague Ryan Nanni is about to fulfill his lifelong dream of being the Bloomin’ Onion mascot at the Outback Bowl, and I couldn’t be happier for him.

—This isn’t going to be the game thread pic, but it still might be the best submission.

—Jeff Goodman breaks down what college basketball’s first month can tell us about the rest of the season.

—Gregg Marshall doesn’t have time for your shit.

The Shockers wound up overcoming a halftime deficit to top South Dakota State.

—Shoutout to first-year U of L volleyball coach Dani Busboom Kelly on being named AVCA East Region Coach of the Year.

—Guy’s good.

—The Daily Tar Heel says Lamar Jackson should win the Heisman again this year.

—Sports Illustrated ranks the most interesting bowl games from 40-1, and the TaxSlayer Bowl checks in at No. 9.

9. TAXSLAYER BOWL: LOUISVILLE VS. MISSISSIPPI STATE

We were robbed of a dual-threat QB duel between Lamar Jackson and Nick Fitzgerald when Fitzgerald suffered a season-ending injury in the Egg Bowl, and then we were robbed of the Todd Grantham Bowl between the fiery defensive coordinator’s past and present employer when Grantham followed Dan Mullen to Florida. It’s a testament to Jackson’s entertainment value that this remains a top-10 game. Enjoy him at his peak while you still can.

—O.J. Simpson says he still has a Heisman vote, that he used it, and Lamar Jackson is the first name he mentions when he talks about player on his radar. That’s cool and all, but Simpson seems like more of Baker guy.

—We know for a fact that Lamar’s got at least one.

—U of L has officially been taken off probationary status by SACS.

—Easy choice at the top.

—And finally, beat Siena.