In a thrilling showdown last night, Louisville basketball fell just short against North Carolina. Despite trailing by 16 points, the Cardinals mounted a spirited comeback, narrowing the gap to just three points and nearly pulling off a miracle with 0.8 seconds left on the clock. The loss drops Louisville to a 20-8 record overall and 9-6 in conference play.
The Cardinals have faced challenges on the road, particularly against top-tier teams, with a 3-6 record away from home and a winless 0-4 against ranked opponents. Yet, their resilience was on full display in the final moments of the game, thanks largely to the standout performance of freshman sensation Mikel Brown Jr.
Brown has been a revelation this season, especially as March approaches. Averaging a team-high 18.9 points per game, he's shooting 41.8% from the field and 35.7% from three-point range. His efforts haven't gone unnoticed, with former Duke star and current analyst Jay Williams offering high praise during the broadcast.
Williams highlighted Brown's exceptional talent, suggesting that he deserves more national recognition. "We talk a lot about Caleb Wilson and Cameron Boozer, but Mikel Brown Jr. is right there with them," Williams remarked. "He's not just a top ten prospect; he could very well crack the top five in the NBA Draft."
Williams, who knows a thing or two about elite college play, having been a standout at Duke and the No. 2 pick in the 2002 NBA Draft, sees Brown as a player who deserves the spotlight. Despite the attention given to other top guards like Darius Acuff Jr. and Kingston Flemmings, Brown's performances, including a historic 45-point game against NC State, have marked him as a player to watch.
In last night's game, Brown was everywhere on the court-darting through lanes, hitting deep shots, and using his speed to attack the rim. He was pivotal in keeping the game close, scoring a team-high 24 points and hitting six three-pointers at a 42.9% clip.
Since returning from injury, Brown has been instrumental in Louisville's 7-3 run, averaging 21.1 points, 4.4 assists, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game, with impressive shooting percentages of 44.8% from the field and 43.4% from beyond the arc. Over the last five games, he's elevated his play even further, averaging 29.2 points while shooting over 50% from both the field and three-point range.
Despite his accolades and a summer leading Team USA to gold, Brown hasn't received the national attention he deserves. But with performances like these, and voices like Williams' advocating for him, it's only a matter of time before the spotlight finds him.