New Year’s Eve Cardinal news and notes

—Spread check: 2020 by nine billion.

—The Louisville women’s basketball team will finally return to the court on Saturday thanks to a freshly scheduled game against the Bellarmine Knights. This is awesome news. It’s also a game I think Jeff Walz’s team could win by 80 if it wanted to.

—The U of L football program has officially announced the signing of Virginia Tech OL transfer Bryan Hudson.

“We’re excited to add Bryan Hudson to our program,” Satterfield said. “Hudson is a versatile player who has shown the ability to play a number of positions along the offensive line during his career. He’s a former Freshman All-American who has displayed his talents in two seasons at Virginia Tech. We look forward to him being a part of our team and are thrilled to add a player with his experience.”

The 6-foot-4, 310-pound Hudson made an immediate impact on the offensive line at Virginia Tech. He started 10 games at center during his first year on campus and was named a second team Freshman All-American by the Athletic.

According to Pro Football Focus, Hudson was one of just two freshmen on the offensive line to play more than 500 snaps in 2019.

Signing with the Hokies in 2019, Hudson was the third-highest rated member of Virginia Tech’s 2019 class that ranked as third-best in the ACC. He was a four-star prospect and a member of the Top247. He checked in as the No. 197 overall prospect and the No. 12 offensive guard in the 247Sports Composite. After strongly considered the Cardinals out of high school, Hudson signed with the Hokies over a host of scholarship offers, including Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, LSU, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Tennessee.

A native of Georgetown, Ky., Hudson anchored an offensive line that lead Scott County to back-to-back 11-win season and was a four-time state champion in the shot put and a three-time state champion in the discus (Class 3A). He holds the state record (Class 3A) in the shot put with a top throw of 63 feet, 9.5 inches.

—Louisville is No. 23 in Gary Parrish’s daily hoops rankings for CBS.

—Russ Yeast is headed to Kansas State to finish his college football career.

—Congrats to Louisville football signee Benjamin Perry on being named an Under Armour All-American.

—Last night in the ACC:

No. 23 Virginia 66, Notre Dame 57
Georgia Tech 72, North Carolina 67
NC State 79, Boston College 76

North Carolina’s 5-4 start is its worst since 2001-02.

—Today in the ACC:

Wake Forest vs. Catawba (3 p.m./ACC Network)

Nota typo. That’s a real school. Wake Forest is playing them. In a basketball game. That counts.

—Fresh El Ellis highlights:

—State of Louisville looks at how Charles Minlend will help Louisville once he gets onto the court.

—Happy 16-year anniversary to Louisville’s Liberty Bowl win over unbeaten Boise State. If you’ve got a few hours to spare this New Year’s Eve, why not spend them here ...

—Louisville signee Victoine Brown ended his high school career as a state champion in Georgia.

—As the college football season nears its end, the question of whether or not any of this was worth it is now being asked.

—Louisville Report looks at the points of emphasis for Saturday’s game between Louisville and Boston College.

The Olé Defense

The main reason for Boston College’s struggles through their first eight games of the season has been their abysmal defense. The Eagles are allowing opponents to shoot 50.0% from the field, a mark that’s the worst in the ACC and ranks 318th in all of Division I.

Where BC really struggles in this department is inside the three-point line. They are allowing teams to shoot 59.3% on two-point attempts, which is 323rd in D1 and worst among major college basketball conferences (Power Five, Big East, AAC, A10, WCC). The Eagles allow the three ball at a 33.7% clip, which is marginally better from a nation perspective at 191st in D1.

Let it Rain

BC’s mindset on the offensive side of the ball is undoubtedly “live by the three, die by the three”. Nearly half of their total field goal attempts come from beyond the arc, as 45.8% of them are three-point attempts.

The problem, however, is that the Eagles are not particularly adept at shooting them. Boston College is shooting just 33.0% on threes, a mark which ranks 12th in the ACC and 169th in D1.

—Louisville’s own Seviche has been named one of the top 100 restaurants in America.

—Russ Brown of Kentucky Today writes that even after a 6-1 start, offense and turnovers are major concerns for the Louisville basketball team.

—Seems like a healthy environment.

—It doesn’t matter who the opponent is, the Louisville women’s basketball team is just eager to get back on the court.

—Big Red Louie looks at how a strong performance at the Senior Bowl could elevate Dez Fitzpatrick’s draft stock.

—New Year’s Eve bowl schedule:

Armed Forces Bowl: No. 23 Tulsa vs. Mississippi State (Noon/ESPN)
Arizona Bowl: No. 22 San Jose State vs. Ball State (2 p.m./CBS)
Liberty Bowl: West Virginia vs. Army (4 p.m./ESPN)

—Sure. Whatever.

—Lamar Jackson has been named as the Baltimore Ravens’ team MVP for a second straight season.

—And finally, a very, very happy New Year’s Eve to everyone reading this. This past year has been one of the most turbulent of my life (I know I’m far from alone there), and as a result, one of the most difficult for the site. We wouldn’t still be rolling into 2021 if it wasn’t for you all, and for that, I can never thank you enough.

Now let’s turn the page on this crap year forever and never look back.

Happy New Year. Go Cards.