The battle for ACC supremacy is about to explode—and Louisville just unlocked its secret weapon. With 5-star phenom Mikel Brown Jr. leading the charge, the Cardinals are no longer chasing Duke’s shadow—they’re coming for the crown. Armed with the No. 1 point guard in the 2025 class and the highest-rated backcourt in the nation, Louisville is built to break the Blue Devils’ dynasty and rewrite the power structure of college basketball.
Louisville basketball has extremely high expectations entering the 2025-26 season for multiple reasons. The Cardinal’s offseason additions rank No. 3 in the nation, according to 247Sports, and the glaring reason is that their three additions have an average rating of 96.00, per On3 Sports, which is the best in the nation.
Also, joining Pat Kelsey and the Louisville Cardinals are four 2025 commitments, including the consensus 5-star point guard Mikel Brown Jr. The Cardinals have a long road ahead if they want to compete for a National Championship, but receiving commitments from two 5-stars and having one of the best backcourts in the nation is an excellent sign that this team is the real deal.
Louisville might need to add another center depending on whether Aly Khalifa is eligible or not, but what is crystal clear is that Kelsey’s Cardinals have a legitimate chance of making history and winning the ACC Title next season. The Cardinals came up just short last season as they lost to the Duke Blue Devils in the ACC Title game, but with their addition of the No. 1 point guard in the 2025 cycle, the Cardinals might be the worst matchup for Duke next season.
Mikel Brown Jr. gives Louisville basketball ultimate cheat code to end Duke’s reign
The Cardinals and Blue Devils are two of the best programs in the ACC, and next season, that isn’t expected to change. These two programs are set to face each other twice, making these two matchups massive for the ACC regular season crown.
The Blue Devils got the best of the Cardinals last season, as they won both matchups by double digits. Duke was led by multiple 5-stars, including future 2025 No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg. Looking back at the matchups, the Cardinals were banged up and lacked size and shooting, but after their additions this offseason and roster adjustments, it is clear that the Cardinals’ 5-star point guard is poised to be the Blue Devils’ kryptonite.
Brown was recently highlighted in scrimmages against his teammates, former Cardinals, and some top recruits. The 5-star point guard showcased his ability to dominate all aspects of the game, handling the ball at an elite level, shooting off the dribble and the pass, and driving to the rim to finish through contact, all while playing with excellent pace.
Brown has all the skills to lead the Cardinals to their first ACC Title and to end the Blue Devils dominant ACC run. Duke is bringing in the best recruiting class in the nation, but with the Cardinals returning players and elite shooters from the transfer portal, this team is perfectly built for Brown.
The highlights show the 5-star playing highly competitive basketball and shooting from all over the court. The 3-point shooting is going to be crucial for the Cardinals if they want to take down Duke. Louisville’s recipe for defeating Duke is to knock down the deep ball while limiting points in the paint.
While this was just a highlight reel and a scrimmage, this tape was an excellent sign that the Cardinals’ elite point guard is ready for the upcoming season. Brown stated in an interview that Kelsey is giving him the reins of the team, and he will lead it next season. Brown will be a crucial piece next season, and if this highlight reel is any indication, the Blue Devils are in trouble.
Brown already has an eye-opening resume, having won the 3-point contest at the McDonald’s All-American game, averaged 29.6 points for DME Academy last season, and won gold for Team USA after starting in every game. The Blue Devils are expected to be one of the top teams in the nation, but Brown has all the skills and tools around him to end Duke’s ACC dynasty.
