UConn is getting a key piece of its backcourt back just in time for a pivotal Big East clash.
Junior guard Solo Ball is set to return to the floor Wednesday after missing one game with a wrist injury, head coach Dan Hurley confirmed Monday. The Huskies, currently ranked No. 4 in the nation, will face Xavier on New Year’s Eve in Cincinnati - a matchup that could test UConn’s depth and resolve heading into the heart of conference play.
Ball sat out the Huskies’ Dec. 21 win over DePaul, a 72-54 victory that extended their record to 12-1 overall and 2-0 in Big East play. While UConn handled business without him, his absence was certainly felt - especially early on.
“(Ball) just opens up the court so much,” senior forward Alex Karaban said. “So definitely not having Solo probably hurt us in the beginning, but we found a way. I think whenever we have injuries we're always going to find a way, and it'll make us stronger later down the season.”
Karaban’s not wrong. Ball’s impact goes beyond the box score.
He brings spacing, shot creation, and a steady scoring presence that helps balance UConn’s offense. Before the injury, he was in the middle of a breakout stretch, including a career-high 26-point performance against Butler on Dec. 16, where he shot 8-of-14 from the field and looked every bit like a go-to scorer.
At 6-foot-4, Ball leads the Huskies in scoring with 15.4 points per game and chips in 3.5 rebounds. This season marks his first as a full-time starter, and he’s made the most of the opportunity. He’s already shown he can carry the offensive load when needed, and his shooting touch - especially from deep - has added another layer to UConn’s already potent attack.
Last season, Ball played in 35 games and averaged 14.4 points and 3.6 rebounds, while knocking down 41.4% of his threes. Those numbers weren’t just solid - they were a sign of what was coming. Now in his junior year, he’s taken another step forward, becoming a more complete scorer and a key leader on the floor.
Over his UConn career (86 games, 57 starts), Ball has averaged 9.5 points and 2.4 rebounds per game, with a career shooting percentage of 42.6%. His growth has been steady, and his role has never been more critical than it is now.
The Huskies, who haven’t played since Dec. 21 due to the holiday break, remain the lone Big East team in the AP Top 25. While the poll took a pause this week due to the light Christmas schedule, UConn holds firm at No.
- Their only loss this season came back on Nov. 19 - a tight 71-67 battle against current No.
1 Arizona.
With no remaining regular-season games against currently ranked opponents, UConn has a clear path to dominate the Big East - but that doesn’t mean it’ll be easy. Every team in the conference knows what’s at stake when facing the defending national champions. And with a target on their backs, the Huskies will need all hands on deck - especially players like Ball who can change the game with a single scoring run.
Historically, UConn holds a 7-5 edge over Xavier, including a 6-4 record since both teams became Big East rivals. But this trip to Cincinnati won’t be a walk in the park. Xavier always plays tough at home, and the Musketeers would love nothing more than to hand the Huskies their second loss of the season.
After the Xavier matchup, UConn returns home to Gampel Pavilion on Jan. 7 to host Marquette - their first game on campus since Dec. 5. That one figures to be another key test, especially as the Big East standings begin to take shape.
But for now, the focus is on Wednesday. And with Solo Ball back in the lineup, UConn’s offense gets a major boost just in time.