In Chapel Hill, N.C., Maliq Brown made a much-anticipated return to the basketball court for second-ranked Duke, having missed several weeks due to a shoulder injury. His comeback proved critical for the Blue Devils as they secured a significant victory against their longtime rivals and furthered their ambitions of clinching a major title by the end of the season.
Standing 6-foot-9, the junior displayed his usual prowess on defense, significantly contributing to Duke’s high-level defensive performance. However, he also made his mark offensively, hitting two crucial 3-pointers and delivering a vital assist during a pivotal second-half rally. This surge enabled Duke to overcome North Carolina with an 82-69 win, securing the Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season title outright. Brown contributed eight points, grabbed three rebounds, and dished out three assists, achieving a game-high plus-20 rating in just 16 minutes of play.
“We saw something in Maliq tonight that we haven’t seen all season, though we’ve always known it’s there,” said freshman standout Cooper Flagg.
“I wish I could harness his energy,” remarked Duke’s Coach Jon Scheyer.
Flagg remains the team’s leading force and a top national player-of-the-year contender, drawing attention as a potential No. 1 NBA draft pick. Nonetheless, Saturday’s game underscored Brown’s essential role on a team dominated by stars like Flagg, Kon Knueppel, and Tyrese Proctor.
Transferring from Syracuse, Brown had not spoken with the press following Duke’s latest victory, having been sidelined since injuring his left arm earlier in the month against Virginia. Coach Scheyer had expressed optimism regarding Brown’s return, despite diagnosing a dislocated shoulder, as medical evaluations revealed no unexpected complications.
Despite modest statistics of 2.5 points and 4.1 rebounds, Brown’s impact extends beyond numbers. He excels in defensive maneuvers, such as switching screens, guarding multiple positions, and creating deflections, making him invaluable to a defense ranked among the nation’s best by KenPom, conceding just 89.6 points per 100 possessions.
This defensive prowess became evident during the game as Duke overcame a narrow early second-half deficit. North Carolina’s RJ Davis scored 15 points in the first half and aggressively pursued his shots, amassing 20 points by the 17:43 mark, energizing the Smith Center crowd.
Brown was instrumental in restraining Davis thereafter, effectively challenging his positioning and disrupting his shooting prowess, which resulted in UNC missing 22 of their last 27 attempts. UNC’s Coach Hubert Davis praised Brown’s standout performance.
“He’s their top defensive player,” Davis acknowledged. “Even if others block or alter shots, his perimeter defense, post play, and defensive agility are unrivaled.”
Brown’s offensive contributions were equally significant. He delivered a backdoor pass to Knueppel for a crucial basket, followed by a transition dunk off a pass from Sion James, sparking a 12-0 run for Duke.
Later, Brown demonstrated his outside shooting, sinking a left-wing 3-pointer from Flagg’s pass, extending Duke’s lead and adding another 3-pointer to secure a double-digit advantage near the game’s end. This marked a considerable improvement for a player who had struggled from beyond the arc earlier in the season.
“He made the best of his time off,” Coach Scheyer noted. “He’s been shooting extensively, and it’s showing in his newfound confidence.”
In the locker room, Brown celebrated with his teammates, trophy in hand, marking both an ACC championship and a likely No. 1 ranking in the AP Top 25. With the ACC Tournament approaching, Brown’s return is crucial for the Blue Devils’ aspirations.
“He’s always been a cornerstone for our team,” James reflected. “His return transforms our game.”
