Wednesday morning Cardinal news and notes

—Here’s the U of L recap of last night’s trouncing of Kentucky on the diamond, Louisville’s seventh straight home win over its in-state rival.

—Speaking of LBA ...

This is a lie, Eric. You just told a lie.

Rozier, of course, has embarrassed Bledsoe in each of the first two games of the Celtics-Bucks series. Last night he dropped 23 points to go with eight assists, and he didn’t commit a turnover in either game despite being on the floor for 72 minutes and 53 seconds. Boston leads the series, 2-0.

This is probably what led to Bledsoe’s sudden memory lapse:

Ok but not only was Rozier’s comment apparently unintentional, it was also way more funny.

Via Kelly Dickey, Terry is the first Cardinal to score at least 20 points in back-to-back playoff games since Rodney McCray did it in 1987. If Donovan Mitchell is healthy enough to play tonight, Rozier’s probably going to have company in achieving that feat in a few short hours.

—Frank Martin talks about Brian Bowen, who has apparently become very popular at South Carolina.

McDonald’s All-American and five-star forward Brian Bowen, the former Louisville recruit wrapped up at the heart of the FBI’s probe into college basketball, enrolled at USC in January. He still must be reinstated by the NCAA to play in games for the Gamecocks next season.

”It’s a sensitive deal,” Martin said before a “Spurs Up” tour stop. “Brian understood the situation he’s in, we understood the situation.

”There’s no rush. We’re not trying to hit the fast forward button on that. Brian and his family want things done right. We want things done right.”

...

“I can tell you, after being around him for three months, unbelievable kid,” Martin said. “Just an unbelievable family. I’m talking about his talent. His talent as a basketball player is real good. Who he is, he just brings people together. He’s engaging. In recruiting, he’s been tremendous with the recruits on campus. He’s fun.”

He’s gonna be cleared, he’s gonna be awesome, and I’m gonna be bitter.

—Aspire Academy’s Charles Bassey was apparently the standout performer at the Nike Hoops Summit. He has not been recruited heavily by Louisville, but is being hotly pursued by both Kansas and Western Kentucky. The latter has a member of its current staff who is very close with the talented big man.

—Former Arizona Cardinals coach Bruce Arians thinks the franchise should take Lamar Jackson if it gets a shot.

There is another quarterback in this year’s draft class that Arians absolutely loves but that some might assume doesn’t fit Arians’ prototypical “no risk it, no biscuit” profile. It’s Lamar Jackson, the 2016 Heisman Trophy winner from Louisville. Though he is known primarily for using his legs as a scrambler, Jackson has all the other talents to become a star in the NFL, according to Arians.

“That’s one guy I really am intrigued with because he can spin it and he’s been in a pro-style offense and he’s been hard coached by Bobby (Petrino),” he said. “He brings that unique skill-set, and it makes me look back at Vince Young. Vince could beat you and he was a heck of a leader. I don’t know why it didn’t work out for him, but listening to him now, telling his story, he’s like, ‘I didn’t put the time in.’

“I think Lamar puts the time in. He’s going to get better, and he just brings that unique ability to break the game open with his legs.”

If Jackson is available when the Cardinals pick at No. 15, Arians says they should snag him and not look back.

“Because he does it. He sits in there and flips it up the field,” Arians said. “He’s been in a pro-style offense. He’s more of a scrambler with designed runs. I don’t think I’d design runs for him. I would just let him, a la Russell Wilson, take what’s there, and whoosh, take off running.”

Wilson doesn’t have a player like David Johnson in the same backfield. Imagine what that combination would look like, Arians was asked, if the Cardinals had a two-pronged attack of Jackson and Johnson. Why, it might make Arians want to come out of retirement.

“Oh, baby!” he said.

—In news that should shock no one, Kentucky sucks at being environmentally friendly.

—Rick Pitino called an Albany Times Union reporter because he was mad about some of the things he’d written about Pitino. Then the Hall of Famer gave the writer a bunch of quotes that led him to believe that Pitino is, in fact, interested in the Siena job.

—And then ...

He also told the Courier Journal that he hopes to do TV next year and stay active in the game.

No more interviews though.

—Chris Mack and the rest of the U of L staff are visiting with Courtney Ramey today. FGCU transfer Zach Johnson took his official visit to Louisville yesterday. Say a prayer to your own personal recruiting deity.

—I love the “Scary Terry” brand.

—The Louisville Bats’ series against the Buffalo Bisons has been snowed out.

—This is a great program and a cool opportunity for U of L students.

—Several popular Thunder Over Louisville viewing spots are still littered with debris from last month’s flooding.

—Jaire Alexander visited with the Dolphins on Tuesday. He was with the Eagles the day before.

—Yeah this is pretty perfect.

—The agent who contacted NC State about the recruitment of Dennis Smith has some things to say.

—Brendan McKay’s first full season of pro ball is off to a tremendous start.

—Love seeing all the spottings of former Cards across the country.

—Magnum Moon has joined the orbit of elite Derby contenders.

—A big driving range may be coming to Old Henry Rd.

—And finally, the latest college baseball bracketology from College Sports Madness has Louisville as the two seed in the UCLA Regional.