UConn guard missing practice ahead of national title game due to injury, per Dan Hurley
Published:
The Connecticut Huskies were not able to embrace an underdog mantra when winning the national championship in 2023 or 2024. This season, though, they’ve found a way to do so despite being a No. 2 seed (late-season losses to Creighton and Marquette will do that for you). There’s no bigger time for them to thrive as the underdog than Monday night’s national title game versus Michigan, especially if they’re also undermanned.
According to Dan Hurley, Solo Ball is not practicing due to “some kind of foot sprain.” ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported the news shortly before 12:00 p.m. E.T. on Sunday.
Ball, a junior guard, is UConn third-leading scorer (12.9 PPG). He connected on just 14.3% (3/21) of his three-point shots through 4 NCAA Tournament games, but went 3-of-7 from behind the arc in the Huskies’ 71-62 victory over Illinois on Saturday. His 13 points trailed only Tarris Reed Jr. (17) and Braylon Mullins (15).
Hurley has primarily used a 7-man rotation throughout this tournament, but had only 6 players on the floor for more than 10 minutes against the Fighting Illini. If Ball were to miss the game, Dayton transfer Malachi Smith would be counted on to fill Ball’s shoes. UConn and Michigan tip off at 8:50 p.m. E.T. on Monday night (TBS/TNT/TruTV).
UConn or Michigan? Predict the national champion at Kalshi!
