Thursday afternoon Cardinal news and notes

—NET Rankings Update (women’s): No. 4

—NET Rankings Update (men’s): No. 128

—The 3rd-ranked U of L women’s basketball team is back in action tonight at 6 against host and 23rd-ranked North Carolina. You can watch the game locally on Bally Sports South.

—U of L interim AD Josh Heird is the guest on the latest episode of Jeff Greer’s podcast. It’s a conversation that’s worth your time.

—This is very cool.

Seems like a safe bet that MoMo is going to wind up as a fan favorite during his time here.

—North Carolina’s NCAA chances took a huge hit last night after an embarrassing 76-67 home loss to Pittsburgh.

—Elsewhere in the ACC last night, Notre Dame needed overtime to hold off Boston College and keep pace with Duke at the top of the league standings.

—Greer has a couple of coaching search updates in his latest newsletter.

* Integrity in a coach is very important to Louisville leadership. I have no reporting-based answer for how stories like Sports Illustrated’s on Merl Code might impact potential candidates connected to the schools mentioned. My opinion: I don’t think it’s particularly helpful but highly doubt it’d be disqualifying. But I’ll again point to the Bruce Pearl rumors: Louisville was never going to consider him because of his past infractions troubles with the NCAA.

* I have repeatedly said Kenny Payne is the favorite for the job in my book — and everyone else’s. But I have a really, really hard time believing anything has been agreed to, or that any candidate has directly spoken to the people doing the hiring for that matter, when key players are still sounding out agents on their clients. A lot of misdirection — like, a lot — would have to be involved, including multiple leaders at U of L outright lying to people with whom they have longstanding relationships, solely to keep them off the scent.

* I know fans are amped up for the next coach and ready to rock the offseason, but this is a process. Not every tweet or rumor is true. Let the work be done. We’ll start seeing a clearer picture develop in the coming weeks.

—Here’s everything Mike Pegues had to say following Louisville’s Wednesday night loss to Miami.

—The CJ covers Louisville’s radio coverage shifting from iHeart to the Louisville First Media Group.

—Terry Rozier has launched his own charitable foundation.

—The Miami Herald covers last night’s Hurricane triumph.

—Both Chris Mack and Mike Pegues have now publicly stated that the players on this year’s Louisville men’s basketball team have not been the most coachable.

—The number of trees in Louisville is on the rise ... so that’s good.

—It’s hard not to like Joe Burrow.

—Then U of L lacrosse team will play its first home game of the 2022 season when it hosts Marquette on Friday. Here’s a preview.

—Anonymous Eagle also previews the game.

—Bellarmine simply refuses to lose conference road games. The Knights have now locked up a first round bye for the Atlantic Sun tournament.

—Trez seems to be really enjoying life in Charlotte.

—U of L football great Sam Madison is joining the staff of the Miami Dolphins. He’ll be coaching the cornerbacks.

—Clint Hurtt is officially the new defensive coordinator in Seattle.

—Rick Bozich wonders if Louisville will win another game this season.

—Coach K confirms he received IVs in the locker room at halftime of Duke’s win over Wake Forest on Tuesday, but says he’s feeling better now.

—Live recaps from day three of the ACC swim championships are here.

—The Louisville baseball team is set to kick off its 2022 season with three games in Tampa, starting tomorrow afternoon against Charlotte.

—And finally, the Mike Rutherford Show is back from 3-6 this afternoon to recap the Miami game as well as celebrate a big day for The Big X/Word Media Group. You can listen to the show via stream here.