Mikel Brown Jr. erupted for 45 points with 10 3-pointers, setting an ACC freshman record in Louisville's 118-77 rout of NC State. The performance tied Hall of Famer Wes Unseld's single-game school mark from 1967, coming after Brown returned from a lower back injury that had limited him in recent games.

Louisville's 60% shooting marked their most points in a conference game in program history, with Ryan Conwell adding 31 points. The Cardinals (18-6, 8-4) connected on 18 3-pointers while handing NC State its first ACC road loss. The Wolfpack (18-7, 9-3) entered on a six-game winning streak but shot just 41% with only 18% from deep.

Brown's career-high performance erased LaBradford Smith's school freshman record of 32 points. He finished 14-of-23 from the field before a 14,389 white-clad crowd. Louisville's dominant win solidifies their NCAA tournament position while ending NC State's perfect road record in ACC play.