UPDATE: Louisville star guard Mikel Brown Jr. will NOT play against No. 6 Duke on Tuesday due to a lingering lower-back injury, officials confirmed during the ACC coaches’ media call. Coach Pat Kelsey disclosed this urgent news just hours before the highly anticipated matchup, revealing that Brown has missed the last four games while undergoing intensive rehabilitation.
Kelsey stated, “He’s rehabbing hard; he’s trying to,” after Louisville’s loss at Stanford last Friday. “We ramped him up a little bit in practice, and then we had a little bit of a setback. We’re hoping it gets better soon and he gets back out there.” This latest setback adds to the growing concern for the Cardinals as they prepare to face a tough opponent.
The absence of Brown has been felt significantly, as the No. 16 Louisville Cardinals (11-3) hold a 2-2 record without him on the court. Brown, who is averaging an impressive 16.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 5.1 assists over 10 games this season, is crucial to Louisville’s offensive strategy.
In his place, former Kennesaw State transfer Adrian Wooley has stepped into the starting lineup, averaging 12.3 points in four games as a starter. The pressure mounts as Louisville faces a challenging schedule ahead, including games against Boston College and No. 21 Virginia.
Brown, a five-star recruit and ranked No. 5 in ESPN’s NBA draft rankings, was a standout performer early in the season. He scored 29 points and dished out 5 assists in a key victory over Kentucky in November, followed by 22 points and 6 assists against Cincinnati just a week later. His absence is not only a blow to the team’s morale but also raises questions about their ability to contend in the ACC.
As the Cardinals prepare to take on Duke, fans and analysts alike are left wondering how this injury will impact the team’s performance moving forward. Louisville must rally without their star player, hoping for a swift recovery and return to the court for Brown.
Stay tuned for further updates as the situation develops and the game approaches.
