“Unsung hero”, “Favorite player on this year’s team”: Duke fans elevate Maliq Brown as Cooper Flagg and co. take down Louisville

Duke Men’s Basketball highlighted 6-foot-9 forward Maliq Brown in an Instagram post on Monday. He put up six points, 11 rebounds and three steals in the No. 4 Blue Devils' 76-65 win over the Louisville Cardinals on Sunday.

Fans were quick to praise the junior after his impressive performance for the Blue Devils.

Duke came back from a 14-point first-half deficit to close out the victory. Cooper Flagg led the Blue Devils with 20 points, 12 rebounds, two steals and a 47.1 FG%.

In a picture carousel on Instagram, fans showed their appreciation for Maliq Brown.

“Unsung hero,” a fan commented.

“Favorite player on this year’s team,” another fan said.

Fans react to Maliq Brown's performance for Duke Blue Devils

In other comments, fans showed more love for Brown:

Other fans comment on Brown at Duke

The comeback victory is the first time the Blue Devils have won their first two road games under Jon Scheyer's tenure and the largest deficit overturned since Jan. 6, 2021, at Boston College (16 points).

Duke (7-2) is on a three-game winning streak with Cooper Flagg leading the Blue Devils with 17.0 ppg, 9.0 rpg and 3.8 apg, while Brown has 1.9 steals per game. Brown played two seasons at Syracuse, averaging 7.7 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 1.6 spg, 1.4 apg and a 69.8 FG%.

Coach Jon Scheyer praises Maliq Brown’s impact on the Blue Devils

Jon Scheyer was full of praise for the Duke Blue Devils in their comeback win over Louisville. Scheyer pointed out the importance of Maliq Brown.

"Maliq in the game was a plus 24,” Scheyer said. “All the winning plays that he made on the defensive, the rebounds and blocks, were so steady and his competitive level was so high.

"He has the best hands of anybody I ever coached. His hands on defense is terrific and he really got us some easy baskets. Sometimes when it's hard to score, just to see the ball go in and get some easy ones in transition is important. He started a bunch of them.” [00:30]

This season, Brown has averaged 3.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.6 assists and a 63.2 FG%. Duke face the Incarnate Word Cardinals in Durham (on Tuesday) as they aim to extend their run to four consecutive wins.