Solo Ball Cleared for UConn Title Game After Foot Sprain
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- Solo Ball suffered a foot sprain in the first half of UConn's 71-62 Final Four win over Illinois after getting tangled with teammate Tarris Reed Jr. on a screen, but played 16 minutes after the injury and was not listed on the Huskies' initial player availability report for Monday's title game.
- Dan Hurley told reporters Sunday that Ball had "some type of a foot sprain" and was in a walking boot, calling his status uncertain, though Ball described himself as "feeling all right" and said he would defer to UConn's medical staff.
- Ball, a 6-foot-4 junior and second-team All-Big East selection, is UConn's third-leading scorer at 12.9 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists while starting all 38 games this season, and shook off a recent slump to score 13 points on 3-of-7 shooting from three in the semifinal win.
- Ball hit an authoritative fast-break dunk that pushed UConn's lead to eight with under four minutes left — after the injury — and hinted he'd play through the sprain Monday, saying "pain is temporary" and that his "adrenaline is through the roof."
- Michigan listed L.J. Cason and Winters Grady as out, meaning star forward Yaxel Lendeborg appears healthy for the championship, while UConn reported no injuries on its availability report.
Why it matters: UConn's title hopes hinge on Ball's perimeter shooting and bench depth — he's their third-leading scorer and a starter in all 38 games. With Michigan missing two rotation players but retaining Lendeborg, the Huskies' depth and Ball's availability could be the difference in a game likely decided by which team stays closer to full strength.
