Louisville basketball will take on the Syracuse Orange tomorrow night for the last game of the season inside the KFC Yum! Center. The Cardinals are coming off an 80-75 loss to the Clemson Tigers over the weekend, marking their second straight loss and the third in their last four games.
With the postseason just around the corner and Miami now ranked No. 22 in the nation, tomorrow's showdown is a crucial game for the Cardinals to build confidence and end this season on a high note. One story Louisville fans are keeping an eye on is the Cardinals' star point guard, Mikel Brown Jr.
Brown was listed as probable for their showdown with Clemson, and then downgraded to a game-time decision, and then played but came off the bench. Now, before Louisville releases the injury report for their game tomorrow, Pat Kelsey provided a vague injury update that leaves Cards fans guessing.
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Pat Kelsey gives vague injury update on Louisville's Mikel Brown Jr.
Brown was limited on Saturday, as he was seen on the bike multiple times trying to stay loose, and he played just 21 minutes, down from his average of 29.2 minutes per game. On Monday, Kelsey was asked about Brown’s status for tomorrow’s game, and Cards fans are left guessing whether he will play.
“Body is just a little bit beat up, and we are going to see how he is here today into tomorrow,” Kelsey stated on Brown’s status for tomorrow. “I just don’t know. We will see how he is today at practice, and then the doctors or the medical people will make that decision in terms of what his game status is, and then we will see how he is tomorrow.”
Brown was seen hitting the hardwood a few times in the Cardinals' physical showdown in Chapel Hill against North Carolina. The former 5-star point guard missed eight games earlier in the season with a back injury, and the Cards struggled mightily when he was off the floor, going 4-4 in his absence.
Brown’s back appears to be bothering him again, as that is what was listed on the injury report against Clemson, and Kelsey’s answer doesn’t have Louisville fans confident he is playing or sitting tomorrow night. The Cardinals' star guard is a key piece to this team, as he was nearly unguardable after returning from his injury, scoring 45, 29, 29, 19, and 24 points in the five games before the Clemson loss.
Louisville will release its first injury report this evening, where Cardinals fans will get a first look at his official injury status. Cardinals fans will learn whether he is playing, probable, questionable, or out. With just two games remaining, Brown’s health is the top priority, as the ACC Tournament starts March 10 and Selection Sunday is March 15.
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