Louisville basketball fans received encouraging news last night as starting point guard Mikel Brown Jr. was not on the injury report. Louisville has been without Brown for eight games, as his last game was against Memphis on Dec. 13.
Brown has been dealing with back spasms and discomfort, forcing him to miss the past 42 days on the sidelines. However, according to several college basketball analysts, Brown is "expected" to return this afternoon against Virginia Tech, as the former 5-star is trending toward a highly anticipated return.
Cardinals fans don’t know what to expect from Brown this afternoon, but if he does play, many are speculating he might come off the bench or have a minutes restriction. Even if that is the case, it is good to see No. 0 back on the court, and he will make an impact no matter what. So, if Brown does end up playing today and is making his return, here are three Louisville Cardinals who benefit the most from Mikel Brown Jr. returning.
3. Sananda Fru
Sananda Fru has really become a true star on this Louisville team. He has emerged as an elite two-way player for Louisville, leading the team in rebounds with 6.9 per game and in blocks with 1.2 per game. Fru has become the Cardinals' best big man, as he is the most efficient and is establishing dominance in the paint, shooting 78.4 percent from the field.
He is averaging 10.8 points per game, but in the last seven games, he is averaging 12.2 points per game. With Brown now likely to return, the Cardinals' big man will be able to get even more pick-and-roll opportunities and will have an active, lengthy guard to play defense with. Every elite guard needs an elite big man, and Fru is perfect at 6-foot-11, 250 pounds.
2. Ryan Conwell
Ryan Conwell has been the main guy since Brown went down, leading Louisville in points with 19.8 points per game. The Xavier transfer has scored 12 or more points in every game but one, and since Brown has been down, he has scored 14 or more in every game. However, Conwell clearly needs some help in the backcourt, as he needs someone like Brown who can generate the offense and not have three defenders around him at all times.
Conwell has been the most consistent player for Louisville since Brown went down, but he is getting all the attention from the defense. With Brown back on the court, the defense will have to show the former 5-star respect, as he can blow by his defender or shoot well beyond the arc. This now gives Conwell a lot more room to operate. Now, Conwell can be that elite catch-and-shoot player he was a year ago, he can catch and drive off that quick first step of his, or he can create his own shot as the defense can’t send as much help with Brown and McKneely on the floor.
1. Isaac McKneely
The player who benefits the most from Brown returning to the floor is the Cardinals' sharpshooter, Isaac McKneely. Brown is someone who attacks the rim and draws a lot of attention when he has the ball, which is a shooter's best friend. Brown has elite playmaking abilities and averages a team-high 5.1 assists per game, which complements a sharpshooter like McKneely.
McKneely is shooting a career low from downtown right now, but with Brown returning, hopefully that will open the floor for the Virginia transfer and give him more wide-open looks. Louisville fans saw this duo dominate early on when McKneely scored 15 points and shot 40 percent from downtown against Ohio, and Brown had 19 points and seven assists, shooting 50 percent from downtown.