Pat Kelsey reveals why Brown is one of college basketball’s biggest difference makers

Louisville basketball defeated the Cincinnati Bearcats last night in a gritty and physical 74-64 win. The Cards had to rely on their stars and the defensive end to pull off the win and secure their first road win of the 2025-26 season. This was a whole team win as Ryan Conwell led all scorers with 25 points while splashing five 3-pointers, while players like Sananda Fru added 11 points, two steals, and two blocks, and Adrian Wooley added six points off the bench and was a spark of energy.

However, it was the 5-star phenom who really stole the show once again, as it wasn't his best shooting performance, but Mikel Brown Jr. had a crucial sequence that really pulled this game away for the Cardinals.

Related: Mikel Brown Jr. reveals one key skill he learned from Chucky Hepburn at Louisville

Pat Kelsey reveals why Mikel Brown Jr. is a 'big time player'

Brown finished the game with 19 points, five rebounds, six assists, and three steals, and while he shot 2-of-9 from beyond the arc, his second 3-pointer was part of a massive 10-second sequence in which the nation and Louisville fans saw what makes him so special.

The 5-star point nailed a deep 3-pointer well-beyond the 3-point line with 3:54 remaining in the second half to put Louisville up nine, and just 10 seconds later, he was aggressive on the defensive end and stole the ball, which led to a massive dunk that caused the Louisville fans to erupt in the Heritage Bank Center.

The 5-star freshman was struggling with shooting, but was still finding ways to impact the game. He was getting to the free-throw line, making 12 free throws, and late in the game, he took over, scoring 5 points in 15 seconds. The Cards were up just six under four minutes, and then by the time the clock hit 3:40, all of a sudden Brown put Louisville up 11.

"Big time players make big time plays in big time moments," Kelsey stated after the game. "He loves big moments. He loves the bright lights, and that gave us a huge boost. That was a big couple of possessions for sure."

When the lights are bright, Brown continues to show up and prove why he is one of the biggest difference makers in college basketball. He scored 29 points in Louisville's win over Kentucky, including a crucial layup to end the first half, where he blew by his defender and scored under two seconds, and a tough and-1 under three minutes that put the Cardinals up 91-84 and snapped a 7-1 run by the Wildcats. And now he just took over and delivered the dagger in last night's win over the Bearcats as he continues to prove he is clutch in the big moments.

It is rare for a freshman to be the player who continues to make the big plays in big moments, but that is what makes Brown so special, and that is why he is a projected top 10 pick in the NBA Draft.

Related: Mikel Brown Jr. is already on pace to make Louisville history in latest NBA mock drafts

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