Wednesday afternoon Cardinal news and notes

—WKU Towel Rack covers the Hilltoppers being “humbled” by Louisville.

—The full schedule for the 2020-21 season of the Jeff Walz Radio Show has been released.

—The CJ’s Shannon Russell highlights three things we learned from Louisville’s win over Western Kentucky.

Hustle plays matter

Tepid starts plagued the Cards in their first three games, but what a reversal for the home team against the Hilltoppers. Louisville didn’t play a perfect first half, falling behind by eight points, but players hustled to regain lead and ultimately secure the win.

A Jae’Lyn Withers steal. A Davis basket in transition. A team defensive stand that forced the Toppers into a five-second violation, stymied by an unfulfilled inbound pass. The little things added up to major momentum changers, so that by the time Jones buried a deep 3-pointer, Louisville was well into a 12-0 first-half run.

“Our motto this year has been toughness,” Johnson said. “We’ve been trying to stay tough throughout every situation. We’ve got guys out. We’re limited on people. So staying tough throughout possessions and staying locked in to what we have to do to win the game is very important.”

Even with mounting foul issues, the Cards banded together and neutralized the Toppers. These lean-rostered trials-by-fire should only serve to fortify team trust and chemistry as the Cards forge further into the schedule.

—Eric Crawford also chimes in with some thoughts on the surprisingly easy Cardinal victory.

—Slowing down has been a key for David Johnson when it comes to playing to his full potential.

—The Kentucky Wildcats are currently a sub-.500 college basketball team.

—The Dre Davissaince (too much?) continues to spread.

—If you haven’t noticed yet, Dre Davis does not play like a freshman.

—Louisville commits Roosevelt Wheeler and Bobby Pettiford both crack the SI99, which ranks the top 99 college basketball prospects in the Class of 2021. Wheeler is No. 77 and Pettiford No. 84.

—Former Ballard High standout Kelan Martin has signed a new deal with the Indiana Pacers.

—Early leader for college hoops quote of the year.

—If you can’t make it to games at the Yum Center but would like a cardboard cutout of yourself (or your pet or whatever) to be in attendance, you can now make that happen.

—Florida State LB and former top 35 prospect Jaiden Lars-Woodbey is officially in the transfer portal as a grad transfer.

—The U of L men’s soccer program has announced its fall signing class.

—This seems good.

—Here are 10 Kentucky Derby Christmas gifts for the horse racing fanatic in your life.

—The LEO hits you with seven recently released songs from Louisville musicians.

—Big Red Louie has three takeaways from the Cards win over WKU.

—And finally, the latest CC Podcast is here.