Solo Ball Finds His Rhythm - and His Why - in UConn’s Emotional OT Win Over Villanova
HARTFORD - Saturday’s overtime win over Villanova was big for UConn. But what happened after the final buzzer told the real story.
Inside the locker room, the Huskies were surrounded by more than just teammates and coaches. The family of Bob Sperry - a longtime UConn supporter who passed away earlier this month - was there.
So were children and families from Connecticut Children’s Hospital, a group that’s become deeply connected to the program over the years. Earlier in the week, the team had visited the hospital on a day off.
On Saturday, the kids returned the favor - showing up in the stands to cheer on the Huskies.
And UConn gave them a game worth remembering.
“A lot of the strength of those kids and the battles they fight manifested itself in our team today,” head coach Dan Hurley said. “I’m not trying to compare beating Villanova to battling cancer - but we play for a lot of people in Connecticut. The most important ones might be the kids and families who show up for us every game.”
That message hit close to home for junior guard Solo Ball - and not just because he poured in 24 points and hit a season-high five 3-pointers in what was easily his best performance in weeks.
Before the game tipped off, the arena lights dimmed. Fans were asked to hold up their phone flashlights in honor of those affected by cancer. When Ball looked into the crowd and saw his mother, Erica, holding up her phone, emotion came flooding in.
Erica Ball is a breast cancer survivor. She was diagnosed when Solo was in sixth grade and endured an 18-month battle before going into remission. She’s been cancer-free ever since.
“I was thinking about my mom the whole game,” Ball said.
You could see it in the way he played - focused, emotional, and free. It’s been a tough junior season for Ball.
After a breakout sophomore year where he shot over 41% from deep and earned second-team All-Big East honors, his shot had all but abandoned him. Coming into Saturday, he was shooting just 25.8% from beyond the arc - and just 1-for-13 over his last three games.
When he missed his first two 3-point attempts against Villanova, it looked like more of the same. But then something clicked.
He knocked down a long two midway through the first half to get himself going. From there, he started to heat up.
Ball hit a pair of threes late in the first half, then opened the second with another to bring UConn within a point. Even when a good look rattled out minutes later, he stayed aggressive.
With 12:12 left in regulation, he buried another three to give the Huskies a 40-39 lead. On the next possession, he found Eric Reibe for a slick reverse layup - showing he wasn’t just scoring, but facilitating too.
“It was definitely a good feeling,” Ball said. “When you’ve got teammates like Silas [Demary Jr.] and Malachi [Smith] finding you, and guys setting great screens, it makes it easy to get into a rhythm.”
Ball stayed hot in crunch time. He hit three free throws late in regulation to give UConn a two-point edge.
Then, in overtime, he drilled his fifth triple of the game - a clutch shot with 2:08 left that put the Huskies up 67-65. They wouldn’t trail again.
“Solo’s volume went up today, which gave him a lot more freedom,” Hurley said. “The ball was in his hands a lot more.”
That uptick in usage came in part because freshman Braylon Mullins exited early in the second half after taking an elbow to the head. He’s now in concussion protocol.
Ball stepped into the void with poise and purpose - and maybe a little extra fire. He’s always been an emotional player.
After UConn’s season-ending loss to Florida in the NCAA Tournament last year, it was Ball’s sobs that echoed through the locker room. But he hasn’t let this season’s shooting slump drag him down.
Saturday, he turned all that emotion into fuel.
And in a game dedicated to cancer awareness, with his mom watching and remembering her own fight, Ball delivered a performance that went beyond stats.
“For him, this was a real good step forward,” Hurley said. “The guy’s a beautiful shooter.”
On a night full of heart, Ball reminded everyone - including himself - just how powerful playing with purpose can be.