Wednesday afternoon Cardinal news and notes

—Louisville asked for and has been granted a 45 day extension for its response to the NCAA’s Notice of Allegation. Any concern over a potential punishment that might affect the 2020-21 season (assuming there is one) has officially been put to bed.

—Sam Vecenie’s updated NBA draft big board for The Athletic has Jordan Nwora at No. 49 and Jay Scrubb at No. 59.

—After an explosive 2019 that no one saw coming, the Louisville offense is looking to take another step forward in 2020.

With 10 starters returning from an offense that finished second in the ACC, trailing only national runner-up Clemson in total offense, the more-experienced Cardinals are seeking to lift the results even higher in 2020.

“So last year was just a lot about the attitude and effort part of it,” Ledford told reporters during a video conference this week. “This year it more about now let’s take the execution to a higher level. Let’s have our execution to where now it’s at an elite level. Everybody. All 11 guys are out there at the same time knowing what to do and what to expect.”

The experience and results of 2019 have established a new expectation within the offense.

“To me, now once you get that, now you can be in pretty elite company out there,” Ledford continued. “But you still can’t get away from the style and how hard you’re going to play. Which I think our guys are really doing a good job with that. Just taking pride. Taking ownership. You want in that elite execution. Because to me I think that’s that, if we have all 11 guys executing at a very high level, then you can have something pretty special.”

—Youth hockey is a sport that is on the rise in Louisville.

—Hall of Fame coach Lou Henson passed away on Saturday and was buried Wednesday morning.

—Fun fact: In the Louisville baseball media guide, Luke Smith lists Joe Kelly as his favorite athlete.

—Louisville checks in at No. 31 in Jon Rothstein’s early top 45 for the upcoming college hoops season.

—The ACC Digital Network has Micale Cunningham as the third-best returning quarterback in the ACC for 2020.

—Louisville’s 2021 football recruiting class currently sits at No. 19 nationally in 247 Sports’ rankings.

—Wolverines Wire covers Spike Albrecht joining the U of L basketball staff.

—Disney is magical.

—Athlon ranks Louisville’s 2020 football schedule as the fifth-toughest in the ACC.

—U of L football is full speed ahead with its plan to hold its first full practice next Tuesday.

—Dwayne Ledford is beyond ready to get back onto the field.

—It’s been a long road to this moment for Nick Burdi.

—Myisha Hines-Allen is the guest on the latest episode of the Welcome to the Ville podcast.

—Chris Mack is expecting a big jump from Samuell Williamson in year two.

U of L coach Chris Mack said last week in a news conference that he expects Williamson to make “a big jump.”

“Sam’s gonna have to make a big jump for us to have the type of season we’re expecting,” Mack said. “I think he learned an awful lot watching Jordan and Dwayne and competing against those guys every single day in practice.”

Mack said even in the little time he’s been able to work with the team this summer he has seen a difference in Williamson.

“What I think he’s done a lot better - and I sent him a long text about it last night 0 is he’s ready from minute one,” Mack said. “It seemed like Sam was that lawnmower you had in the shed all winter before you first started to cut your grass for the first time in the spring. It just took him a long time to get going every day in practice.

“Now we’re doing a warmup drill and Sam’s out there dunking. I think he understands the intensity that’s needed at this level, I think he’s become a much better shooter. Like every freshman when they become a sophomore, I think his confidence has grown, he knows what to expect, both from his coaching staff and the game of college basketball. I expect a whole lot out of Sam this year.”

—Louisville grad transfer Carlik Jones will talk with the media via teleconference Thursday afternoon at 2.

—And finally, Dennis Dodd of CBS explains why the Notre Dame-ACC marriage of convenience may evolve into a meaningful relationship beyond 2020.