The Huskies beat Illinois in the national semifinal on Saturday night, but it came at a cost.
Starting guard Solo Ball is now in a walking boot and his status and ability for Monday night's national championship game against Michigan is up in the air.
Per Jeff Borzello of ESPN:
Dan Hurley says Solo Ball sprained his foot early in last night's game.
The extent isn't clear: "It's going to be tough to get an MRI on Easter, on a Sunday," Hurley said.
Ball played 16 minutes in the second half despite it, was on the floor until there were 13 seconds left.
Even if Ball plays, he surely won't be 100 percent, which will be an issue against a team as talented as Michigan. The Wolverines rolled over Arizona in the other semifinal 91-73.
The Solo Ball file
A Virginia native, the junior has started all 38 games this season for the Huskies. He's averaging 12.9 ppg and 1.6 assists, while also adding 3.1 rebounds. Ball led the Big East in three-point percentage last season (41.4) but regressed this year, hitting only 29.6 percent. His field goal percentage as a whole is also down to 39.2 percent from 43.9.
Ball has had an up-and-down tournament. He scored nine points in a Round 1 win over Furman but went scoreless in the Round of 32 against UCLA. He's had double figures in each game since (12, 10 and 13).
UConn Huskies guard Solo Ball (1) dunks against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the second half of a semifinal of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Bob Donnan-Imagn ImagesHow UConn can handle this
If Ball doesn't play, or is presumably hobbled, the Huskies will have to rely on Silas Demary Jr. to step up offensively, and they'll need a better performance from senior Alex Karaban. Karaban has only 14 points in the last two games combined. Fifth-year senior Malachi Smith, who scored nine points in an Elite Eight matchup with Duke, is also an option to pick up the slack.
Need to know
The tip-off on Monday night is slated for 8:50 p.m. ET. Michigan is 36-3 while UConn is 34-5.
Also on campus
--Head caoch Dan Hurley, Demary and freshman Braylon Mullins each spoke following Saturday night's win. You can read what they had to say here.
--The college basketball world is still buzzing about what transpired at the end of Friday night's women's Final Four between Geno Auriemma and Dawn Staley. Diana Taurasi, who has a good relationship with both, chimed in on Saturday with her thoughts.
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