Mikel Brown Jr. is an incredibly special talent, and last night he showed just how far he can take this team. Throughout the season, Louisville basketball fans have seen firsthand the playmaking ability the young freshman possesses, with play after play made by driving to the basket.
Last night, he turned up his outside shooting a few notches as well. The Louisville Cardinals absolutely dominated the North Carolina State Wolfpack, leading in eye-opening, historic fashion. Brown was hot from the very beginning of the game, hitting open 3 after open 3 as Louisville pulled away with the lead early on. By halftime, it was apparent that Cardinals fans were on the verge of witnessing greatness in this game.
Louisville (and Brown) refused to take the foot off the pedal in the second half as well, outscoring NC State 62-41 in the final 20 minutes.
Mikel Brown Jr. puts together a historic, masterclass performance
Brown delivered that very greatness, finishing with 45 points on 10 makes from distance for the Cardinals. The 45 points break the single-game freshman scoring record and tie the single-game scoring record held by Louisville great Wes Unseld. The 10 made 3’s also tied a record held by Louisville great Reyne Smith, which was achieved last year in Kelsey’s inaugural season.
“He’s a special player,” Kelsey stated after the game on Mikel Brown Jr. “It just doesn’t surprise me. He just stays consistent. He didn’t panic.”
This sensational performance from Brown has Louisville back in the driver's seat for a potentially deep March run, a hope that seems so very real after this incredible performance. The increased efficiency in Brown’s outside shooting seemed to be the last domino needing to fall for Brown to go from great to elite. Everyone knew he had this skill in his bag, tonight showed just how deadly a weapon it truly can be.
This performance should also put Brown back in the driver's seat, personally, in achieving his NBA dreams. He was never doubted as a lottery pick, however, some mock drafts showed Brown slipping slightly after his issues with the lingering back injury, which sidelined him for a few games in December and January.
It’s refreshing to see Mikel Brown Jr. overcome this adversity and show any doubters of his game just what he is capable of doing for the Louisville Cardinals now, and for an NBA franchise in the future. The sky is the limit for Mikel Brown Jr., and when he is able to take over like that, this Cardinals team has its sights on a Final Four run.
Related: Floor, ceiling, and prediction for the rest of Louisville basketball's season
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