Louisville basketball had its best game of the season last night, and it wasn’t even close. The Cardinals dominated from start to finish as they beat North Carolina State 118-77. This was a massive game for the Cardinals, as it had major ACC implications with just nine games remaining in the season, and now, after last night's performance, not many can question Mikel Brown Jr.
After Brown’s performance against Duke, when he scored just 7 points on 7% shooting from the field, many college basketball fans were doubting the former 5-star point guard. Whether they were suggesting he isn’t a one-and-done player and he should stay another year, or he isn’t a lottery pick, whatever it may have been, last night shut down any doubt, and he revealed just how special he is and why he is a lock for a top-10 pick.
Mikel Brown Jr. silences all doubters with historic performance
Brown went on to have a historic night inside KFC Yum! Center as the 6-foot-5, 195-pound guard scored 45 points, including 10-of-16 from beyond the arc, and 14-of-23 from the field. He also added nine rebounds, three steals, and two assists to help lead Louisville to its 41-point win.
Brown’s 45 points broke multiple records and tied multiple records. He went on to break the Cardinals' and the ACC Freshman single-game scoring record. Before Brown’s 45 points, Mavs rookie phenom and former No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft Cooper Flagg had the record after he dropped 42 points on Notre Dame last season.
Mikel Brown Jr. eclipsed Cooper Flagg's ACC freshman single-game record with 45 points in Louisville's 118-77 win vs. NC State 🤯 pic.twitter.com/kMkDOwCqbe
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) February 10, 2026
Now, after Brown caught fire and tied Reyne Smith’s record for most made 3-point baskets in a single game by a Cardinal, the 5-star guard holds the new ACC Freshman record. Brown also went on to tie the most points in Cardinals history, as he tied Wes Unseld's scoring record, as Unseld scored 45 points against Georgetown College on Dec. 1, 1967.
He was able to shoot off the dribble and off the pass, create shots for his teammates, and cause havoc on defense. The former 5-star showed why he is a top 10 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Brown has had quite a few doubters entering this game, as he shot 3-17 over the past couple of games, but after a performance like last night, when he etched his name in the record books for the ACC and Louisville, it is safe to say those doubters are quiet this afternoon.
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