Thursday afternoon Cardinal news and notes

—Spread check: Clemson by 24.

—During the annual Louisville basketball tip-off luncheon on Wednesday, Chris Mack revealed that freshman forward Quinn Slazinski has been hospitalized with appendicitis. An update on his condition is expected soon, but Mack said Slazinski wasn’t expected to be out more than a week.

—Alex Kirshner has a full breakdown of how different the entire college football world would have been if James Quick had gotten one more yard against Clemson three years ago. Only click if you have the stomach for it.

—The ACC Digital Network previews Louisville-Clemson.

—Jordan Nwora has been named to the preseason watch list for the Erving Award, which is given annually to the best small forward in college basketball.

—A win for the nationally-ranked Male Bulldogs on Friday night would be the 900th in school history.

—Akoy Agau has launched a new company (Athletic link) that is designed to let fans virtually interact with athletes and celebrities and donate money to charity through the live-streaming service Twitch.

Video games have been a favorite pastime of Louisville basketball players over the years. Former center Anas Mahmoud kickstarted a FIFA habit in the locker room before he graduated in 2018; current Cardinals including Dwayne Sutton and Malik Williams enjoy playing NBA 2K.

Agau says he hopes Primetimesports can eventually dedicate one week every month to sessions featuring former Louisville athletes and benefiting Louisville charities; he says he has already reached out to Deng Adel, Montrezl Harrell, Trey Lewis, Chris Jones, Asia Taylor and Russ Smith.

“I’ve had such a connection and coming back here, I thought it would be a unique way to get Louisville fans to interact with former players and at the end of the day help with the cause here in the city,” Agau says. “Maybe we call it ‘Louie Week.’ Who knows? Something cheesy like that.”

—The U of L women’s golf team will host the 16th-annual Cardinal Cup this weekend.

—Five-star guard Devin Askew is announcing his college decision today, and unfortunately, all signs are pointing towards Kentucky.

—Big man Gethro Muscadin is also announcing his college decision today. Unfortunately again, all signs are pointing towards Kansas.

—It appears Harry Douglas will be in town to watch the Cards take on Clemson.

—The academic success of U of L athletes continues to rise.

—The CJ’s Jason Frakes makes his picks for the week ahead in local high school football.

—It can’t hurt Louisville’s chances with JJ Traynor that he’s been working out with current Cardinal commit Jay Scrubb.

Dion Lee is the same local trainer who worked with Romeo Langford and D’Angelo Russell, among others.

—The 23rd-ranked Louisville volleyball team moved to 7-0 in the ACC by taking a five set thriller from Notre Dame Wednesday night.

—It appears as though USA Today is going to do away with its print edition.

—Shakin’ the Southland previews Louisville vs. Clemson and doesn’t foresee the Tigers having any problems taking care of the Cards.

Overall: Clemson’s first three ACC games with Louisville were absolute dog fights that came down to the final possession. This game should not, but it will serve as one of those comparative games with another potential playoff team in Notre Dame. More than ever, it seems that the media and poll folks favor offensive explosions over defensive dominance. How else can you explain the love for Alabama, Oklahoma, LSU, and Ohio State over Clemson and Wisconsin? While the Tigers have still been very good offensively save the UNC game, they haven’t had some 400 yard plus passing performance with 50 plus points. The media noise, and especially the AP poll, should be ultimately meaningless once the playoff committee begins its rankings, but Clemson’s defense is better than just about every top contender with Ohio State and Wisconsin being the others I would call truly legit defensively. Clemson can go a long way to further proving its mettle defensively by how it handles a pretty darn good Louisville offense. For those of us still concerned about Clemson’s run defense against a strong running game, this game is a great test.

Clemson 52-Louisville 20.

—Louisville defensive coordinator Bryan Brown spoke with the media after practice on Wednesday about the challenge Trevor Lawrence and the Clemson offense present.

—Riley Johnston over at Blogger So Dear is disappointed by the lack of fan support the Wake Forest football team has been receiving, a lack of support which was on full display last Saturday against Louisville.

—This is a bonkers stat.

—It’s been 25 years since Little Giants premiered in theaters. The ‘90s classic still resonates with kids today. Rick Moranis forever.

—ESPN’s midseason college football All-America team features two Kentucky players, which seems wrong.

—SB Nation’s 2019-20 NBA season preview is here.

—Bill Connelly’s S&P picks like Clemson over Louisville by 18 points.

—Jody Demling recaps the most significant things Chris Mack said during Wednesday’s tip-off luncheon.

—I talk a little Louisville and a little ACC on the ACC Basketball Report podcast.

—Congrats to Atherton High School teacher Erin Schneider on receiving a Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

—The Fitzpatricks aren’t the only brothers who might wind up playing together at Louisville.

—Andy Katz has Jordan Nwora first and Steven Enoch ninth on his list of the 10 best players in the ACC for the upcoming season.

—The AP wonders if Clemson’s conference dominance is good for the ACC.

—The college hoops staff over at CBS has released its preseason All-America squad, and Jordan Nwora finds himself on the First Team.

Jordan Nwora | F | Louisville | Jr.

Earlier this year, Jordan Nwora seriously considered remaining in the 2019 NBA Draftbut ultimately decided to withdraw and return to Louisville -- where he now has a chance to lead the Cardinals to an ACC regular-season title and then some. The 6-7 wing averaged 17.0 points and 7.6 rebounds in 31.9 minutes per game last season after averaging just 5.7 points and 2.2 rebounds as a freshman. That improvement from one season to the next was among the best jumps for any relevant player on any relevant team.

Nwora was joined on the First Team by Michigan State’s Cassius Winston, Marquette’s Markus Howard, Seton Hall’s Myles Powell, and Florida’s Kerry Blackshear.

—Rick Bozich wonders if it’s more likely that Louisville will upset Clemson this weekend, or that Kentucky will upset Georgia.

—Chris Mack will not be rocking the full football uniform on the sidelines this weekend.

—Streaking the Lawn (Virginia) has Louisville at No. 6 in its latest ACC power rankings.

—Jake Snider’s squad has a 2-0 lead in Louisville baseball’s annual Pizza Bowl competition.

—Athlon likes Clemson over Louisville by four scores on Saturday.

Final Analysis

The question in this game isn’t about talent. It’s clear that Clemson has the superior athletes and is the more balanced team. The question: Was the Tigers’ performance against Florida State the start of a trend, or was it a one-off dominant showing? Going off history, I think we know the answer. The Tigers have shown moments of weakness early in seasons before, only to regroup — often after an open date — and flex their muscles the rest of the way. On the road, against a team with a very good offense, Clemson may not be perfect. But the Tigers will win, and it will come fairly easily.

Prediction: Clemson 49, Louisville 21

—Cardinal Authority plays five questions with Clemson’s 247 Sports writer.

—And finally, R&R is out at Roosters off Shelbyville Rd. from 3-6 this afternoon. Scott Satterfield will join the show. You can listen here.