Friday afternoon Cardinal news and notes

—For the second straight year, Lamar Jackson is a Walter Camp All-American.

—LJ has arrived in NYC for tomorrow night’s Heisman Trophy ceremony.

—Louisville’s Tim Kubel is a First Team All-American.

—Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller got anonymous quotes from surveying scouts, execs, agents and coaches around the NFL about each of the top QB prospects in this year’s draft. Here’s what they had to say about Lamar Jackson.

Lamar Jackson

"I don't know for sure where he'll play in our league, but he's f--king exciting. I could also see someone breaking him in half the first time he's hit." —AFC defensive coordinator

"With as much natural talent he has, there's developmental potential. The key will be how well his offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach can create a scheme for him—like Kyle Shanahan with RGIII—so he can have success early. Then you have to build on that success so defenses don't catch up to him." —NFC player personnel director

"Well, I think the first question is what is he? I don't think he's a great passer despite good arm strength. I don't think he's a powerful enough runner to have success on the ground. So he'll have to learn to be a better thrower and stop relying on his legs. And if that doesn't work, move him to receiver." —former NFL general manager

Ok but are his knees thick enough?

—Here’s the U of L recap of the women’s team’s thrashing of Vandy last night.

—Rick Pitino spoke with The Courier-Journal about Papa John, the board, whether or not he’s watched Louisville this season, and how he’s spending him time these days.

“You work at a place a long time,” he said. “You give your heart and soul. You love the place and all of a sudden you’re asked to leave without an explanation. It’s very hurtful. The only reason I’m not as bitter as I should be is I don’t believe these people (on the board of trustees) are the University of Louisville.”

He said Thursday he had watched only half of one U of L game this season, the Cardinals’ 66-57 loss at Purdue on Nov. 28. It was during that broadcast ESPN’s Jeff Goodman reported Pitino had told him David Padgett probably needed to take the team at least as far as the NCAA Tournament’s Elite Eight in order that his interim status be made permanent.

Pitino said that comment was made off-the-record, and amounted to no more than agreeing with a standard Goodman suggested. Goodman declined to comment on his conversation with Pitino.

“It’s really disturbing,” Pitino said of the subsequent controversy stoked by ESPN analyst Dan Dakich. “It was a great choice hiring David. This is a team with a lot of experience. ... To come in and bring a whole new system in would just kill this team.”

Pitino said Padgett “understood the game as well as anyone I’ve coached,” directing U of L’s offense as a “point center,” and that his hope was that his protege would hold the job for 10 years. He resisted a request for an interim evaluation.

“I need to watch a whole game,” he said. “But I’m torn emotionally. It makes me very sad when someone mentions my name in a derogatory way.”

—It’s Alumni Night for U of L women’s basketball tomorrow night at the KFC Yum Center. The Cards host Middle Tennessee at 7.

—The 2019 Final Four logo is here, and it’s ... well it’s fine I guess.

—Crimson Quarry previews tomorrow’s game at the Yum Center.

—Watching this six years later is even better.

Tom Crean did not take you back to the top.

—The Bellarmine basketball team topped Wisconsin-Parkside 76-40 Thursday night to move to 8-0 on the season. The win also extended the Knights’ home court winning streak to 47 games, which is the longest of any program at any level of college basketball. Shoutout to Scotty Davenport and company.

—Congrats to Peyton Siva on receiving an All-Star nod.

—Former FIU head coach Mario Cristobal has been named as the new head coach at Oregon.

—Mangok Mathiang has been transferred back to the Charlotte Hornets. Mangok last appeared in a game for Charlotte back on Oct. 25.

—Don just refuses to stop Donning.

—Here’s a good podcast for those trying to get ready for tomorrow’s game against IU.

—We should all be more like Gus.

—Congrats to Chris Smith, who announced yesterday that he has converted to Judaism and (perhaps not coincidentally) has signed a long-term deal with the Israeli franchise Ironi Nahariya.

—It’s a big recruiting weekend for U of L football, which is hosting 16 visitors. Jody Demling has the scoop.

—This seems good.

—The C-J gives three keys to the Louisville-Indiana game.

—The Indiana Daily Student serves up five things to know about Louisville.

—Well done, gents.

—ESPN has an insider article on how the Heisman finalists will translate to the pro game.

—Could the U of L women be a legitimate threat to UConn?

—And finally, R&R gets you ready for the weekend ahead form 3-6 today. We’ll have David Padgett’s presser, we’ll talk to Jeff Walz at 4:05, and we’ll also preview Indiana and the Heisman Trophy ceremony. Listen here.