LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Monday, they were flatter than a soda left out overnight.

There were some basketball pundits (and by “some,” I mean me) who said before this season that Louisville was likely to go as far as freshman Mikel Brown and sophomore Khani Rooths would take them.

Without Mikel Brown Jr., Louisville has a good backcourt. Deep, experienced and tough. But with him? It might have the best in the country.

Mikel Brown Jr., who has missed eight straight games for the Louisville basketball team, was not listed on the team’s injury report ahead of Saturday’s 2:15 p.m. meeting against Virginia Tech, making him available for play for the first time since Dec. 13.

With a winter storm expected to hit Louisville and the surrounding region Saturday afternoon, the University of Louisville moved its tipoff time for Saturday's home game against Virginia Tech.

Louisville basketball could once again be without two key starters when it hosts No. 21 Virginia at the KFC Yum! Center on Tuesday night.

Louisville freshman point guard Mikel Brown Jr. was ruled out for Tuesday's marquee home game against Duke at the KFC Yum! Center, coach Pat Kelsey said Monday.