Monday afternoon Cardinal news and notes

—Spread check: Virginia by 3.

—Louisville football might still be shorthanded, but the Cards are ready to get back to work.

—The men’s basketball AP preseason poll dropped today, the women’s poll will be out tomorrow, the men’s All-America squads will be unveiled Wednesday, and the women’s teams on Thursday.

—Major congrats to Amy Calabrese, who has been named U of L’s new Senior Woman Administrator and Associate Athletic Director. She’ll do a fantastic job.

—The Louisville women’s basketball has been selected to represent the United States at the 2021 World University Games, which will be played August 18-29 in Chengdu, China.

“We are extremely excited that our team will get an opportunity to represent the United States in the World University Games,” Louisville head coach Jeff Walz said. “One of the joys of my coaching career has been representing the United States, and I am thrilled that our entire team will get to experience that next summer. This will be a tremendous opportunity for everyone involved with our program, and we can’t wait to play on an international stage against the world’s best teams.”

The World University Games are held every two years, and Louisville will become the fourth collegiate program to play for the United States, joining UNC Charlotte (2009), Maryland (2017) and Mississippi State (2019). Beside those four occurrences, the United States has been represented by the national team in the World University Games.

Louisville was chosen to represent the United States in the 2021 World University Games by the United States International University Sports Federation (US-IUSF).

“We are thrilled to have Louisville and Coach Walz represent the United States at the 2021 World University Games,” said Nels Hawkinson, the USA Team Deputy Head of Delegation.

—The U of L men’s soccer team saw its fall season end with a 4-1 loss at Notre Dame Friday night. The loss dropped the Cards to 1-6-1 on the year.

—Louisville and Kentucky are battling this week to see which school (program/team/whatever) can get the most fans to register as organ donors. To register for the good guys, go here.

—Friday’s virtual U of L men’s basketball tip-off luncheon will be live streamed.

—The best of Donovan Mitchell from the 2019-20 season:

—Heat Check CBB has five major takeaways from the preseason AP poll.

—The U of L women’s basketball team is No. 4 in ESPN’s preseason top 25.

—Your guide for “Pizza Week” in Louisville.

—Big Red Louie ranks the final four opponents of the season for the Louisville football team.

—The actual uniforms for this season, are being received much better than the look at last year’s postseason unis were.

—SportsBetting.ag has Louisville as a 40/1 shot to win the 2021 men’s basketball NCAA tournament. Despite being No. 3 in the preseason AP poll, Villanova is the preseason betting favorite to win it all, with Gonzaga right behind them.

—Despite losing a loaded senior class from last season, depth — as well as the return of ACC Player of the Year Dana Evans — will be key for the Louisville women’s basketball team in 2020-21.

—The U of L women’s soccer team will open ACC tournament play Thursday night at 8 against No. 10 Virginia in a game that will be carried by the ACC Network. The Cards are 0-3 all-time in the ACC tournament, and 0-8 all-time against Virginia.

—Alex Trebek’s passing was more than just the loss of a television icon; it marked the loss of the last normal thing.

—Former St. X QB Desmond Ridder has Cincinnati flirting with the College Football Playoff.

—ACCSports.com looks at what Louisville will be missing with Malik Williams sidelined for much of the 2020-21 season.

—After beating Louisville, Virginia Tech turned around and lost to Liberty this past weekend. Gobber Country says Justin Fuente is already out of excuses.

—Louisville freshman Hailey Van Lith has been named to the preseason watch list for the Lieberman Award, which is given annually to the best point guard in women’s college basketball.

—Rick Pitino says he’s not using Iona as a stepping stone job.

“Every coach that has coached here has loved it,” Pitino said Monday during the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference media day. “They’ve all enjoyed it thoroughly, the Iona community. For me, it’s a little bit different … because they looked at Iona as a great place to work. It was stepping-stone for something higher to them.

“For me, it’s a way to end a career. It’s the way I wanted to end. I started, early on, at a small school that I deeply loved, Providence College, and now I can end at a similar-type situation at Iona, end a career that spanned over 40 years of professional and college basketball. God willing, I have about seven or eight years left in coaching. I’m still as passionate as ever. There’s no finer place to work than Iona College.”

—The top-seeded U of L field hockey team was knocked off by North Carolina in the ACC championship game on Sunday. The Cardinals were the only team to beat two-time reigning national champion UNC this season. The NCAA tournament for field hockey will be played in the spring.

—Another week, another gold jersey for Carlik Jones. He’s got company in week four though.

—The beat for Southern Illinois, Louisville’s first opponent this hoops season, reacts to the news of Malik Williams’ injury.

—Competition at every position is pushing the 2021 Louisville baseball team this preseason.

—And finally, here are the major takeaways from Scott Satterfield’s Monday press conference.