Louisville Freshman Mikel Brown Jr. Leads No. 24 Cardinals Over Baylor

Brown Jr. had 29 points and 6 assists in the 82-71 victory

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Standout Louisville freshman Mikel Brown Jr. followed up his historic game with another impressive performance, scoring 29 points and dishing out 6 assists to lead the No. 24 Cardinals to an 82-71 win over Baylor on Saturday.

Why it matters

Brown Jr. has emerged as a key player for Louisville this season, helping the team climb into the national rankings. His continued strong play is crucial for the Cardinals as they look to make a push in conference play and potentially earn an NCAA Tournament berth.

The details

Brown Jr. was the driving force behind Louisville's go-ahead run early in the second half, scoring or assisting on every point during that stretch. His all-around performance, including efficient shooting and playmaking, was instrumental in the Cardinals pulling away for the victory.

  • The game was played on Saturday, February 14, 2026.

The players

Mikel Brown Jr.

A standout freshman for the Louisville Cardinals basketball team.

Louisville Cardinals

The Division I men's basketball team representing the University of Louisville.

Baylor Bears

The Division I men's basketball team representing Baylor University.

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What they’re saying

“Mikel has been a huge part of our success this season. He stepped up again today and made plays when we needed them most.”

— Kenny Payne, Head Coach, Louisville Cardinals (washingtonpost.com)

What’s next

Louisville will look to build on this win as they continue their conference schedule, with a key matchup against a ranked opponent coming up next week.

The takeaway

Mikel Brown Jr.'s emergence as a star freshman has been a major boost for the Louisville Cardinals, who are positioning themselves as a team to watch in the college basketball landscape this season.