SerpApi.Org
For all the uncoolest of marbles.
THE MIKEL BROWN BACK SITUATION
HOW THEY GOT HERE:
—Defeated Georgia Football (83%-17%) in the quarterfinals.
—Defeated NCAA Tournament Expansion (78%-22%) in the semifinals
RAP SHEET:
—Lots of nominations for Mikel’s dad, his back, the injury, etc., so the fair thing (I think) to do here is to lump them all in to one entry.
—While the severity of the injury is still up for debate, the reality remains that Mikel Brown Jr., the centerpiece of Pat Kelsey’s 2025-26 squad, missed about 35 percent of the season — including the ACC and NCAA Tournaments — because of a lingering back injury.
—Brown’s extended absence frustrated everyone involved with Louisville basketball and will have fans wondering what might have been from now ‘til eternity.
vs.
BRIAN MANDEL
HOW THEY GOT HERE:
Defeated Indiana Football (91%-9%) in the quarterfinals
Defeated Louisville Football’s November Swoon (58%-42%) in the semifinals
RAP SHEET:
—Texas man who lost a reported $80,000 bet on Louisville’s Nov. 8 overtime loss to Cal.
—Following the game, Mandel set threatening messages to Jeff Brohm, Brian Brohm, Miller Moss and three others.
—Mandel messaged Moss (among other things): “I’m going to spend the rest of my life making yours miserable. You cost me $80,000 last night You can either pay me or suffer the consequences. You your girlfriend and your parents. They will all suffer.”
—He messaged Brohm (among other things): “I am going to find and kill you and your entire (expletive) family you piece of (expletive) …”
—In February, Mandel pled guilty to one count of terroristic threatening in the second degree, a felony. He resigned from the Corpus Christi Planning Commission after his indictment by a grand jury last November.
A new champion will be crowned when the polls close in 48 hours.
