Louisville's Brown sets ACC, Louisville scoring records

Freshman guard Mikel Brown Jr. hits 10 3-pointers and scores 45 points, tying a Louisville legend's single-game scoring mark.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Louisville freshman guard Mikel Brown Jr. had a record-setting performance, hitting 10 3-pointers and scoring 45 points to break the ACC single-game scoring record and tie a Louisville legend's school record. Brown's scoring outburst led Louisville to a 118-77 rout of NC State.

Why it matters

Brown's performance establishes him as one of the top young players in the ACC and puts him in elite company with Louisville greats. His ability to take over a game and lead his team to a dominant victory highlights his immense potential.

The details

Brown shot 14-of-23 from the field, including 10-of-16 from 3-point range, and a perfect 7-of-7 from the free throw line. He also grabbed 9 rebounds, had 3 steals, and 2 assists. Brown's 45 points broke the ACC single-game scoring record of 42 set last season by Cooper Flagg, and tied the Louisville single-game scoring record of 45 points set by Wes Unseld in 1967.

  • On November 11, Brown scored 29 points against rival Kentucky.
  • From mid-December to early January, Brown missed 8 games due to a lower back injury.
  • In his return, Brown scored in double digits in 3 of 5 games, including two 20-point performances.

The players

Mikel Brown Jr.

A heralded freshman guard for the Louisville Cardinals who set the ACC single-game scoring record and tied the Louisville single-game scoring record.

Cooper Flagg

The ACC player who previously held the single-game scoring record that Brown broke.

Wes Unseld

A Hall of Famer and Louisville legend whose single-game scoring record of 45 points Brown tied.

Ryan Conwell

A Louisville teammate of Brown's who scored 31 points in the same game, flirting with his own career-high.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I did not know. To be honest, I was just so locked in with just staying with it and just not having it drop off. Just maintaining my aggressiveness and my will to create for myself and for others as well.”

— Mikel Brown Jr.

“That means a lot, just because he's a legend. I couldn't do this without my teammates. They encourage me every single day to be myself and to stay aggressive and just be free.”

— Mikel Brown Jr.

“His gravity on the floor, he makes it easy for me.”

— Ryan Conwell, Teammate

What’s next

The Louisville coaching staff will look to build on Brown's record-setting performance as the Cardinals continue their ACC schedule.

The takeaway

Mikel Brown Jr.'s dominant 45-point game, which set the ACC single-game scoring record and tied a Louisville legend's school mark, establishes the freshman as one of the top young talents in the conference and a rising star for the Cardinals.