Ball has played a bigger role than expected at start of season
Ball had a breakout game in Tuesday’s 87-76 win over No. 9 North Carolina in the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden. After struggling shooting from the perimeter through the first eight games, he found his range, making five of eight field goals, including three of six from 3-point land. He raised his season field goal percentage to .361.
He contributed a careerhigh 13 points.
“We expected what we got from some of the other guys, but for a freshman to play with poise and to make very few mistakes and also to make big shots, that was just awesome,” Hurley said. “The more people that can come through for you like that, that’s what makes your team potentially a great team is when you have the depth of guys that can step up.
“That was a big, big moment for the program and for Solo.”
No. 5 UConn (8-1) will be a deeper team with Castle back in the rotation. The Huskies will be in action today, hosting Arkansas Pine Bluff (4-6) at noon at Gampel Pavilion.
While on the sidelines, Castle has been in Ball’s corner, offering encouraging words and support.
“That’s my brother,” Ball said. “I live with him. He’s been a great help and so have the rest of the guys acclimating me.”
As expected, Castle looked rusty in his return to action against North Carolina. On a minutes restriction, he finished with three points, four rebounds and an assist in 11 minutes.
During the last couple practices, Castle has made progress.
“It’s like starting over again for him,” Hurley said. “He played great in the closed scrimmages and then he played well to start the year, so he’s got that confidence there. He’s just catching up, but he’ll catch up quickly because he’s a great guy and a great talent.”
UConn isn’t expected to be tested against Arkansas Pine Bluff, which ranks 350th out of 351 teams in scoring defense, allowing 88.1 points per game.
About the only thing the Golden Lions do well is fire up 3-pointers. They’re fifth in the country in made 3-pointers per game at 11.2 and 10th in attempts at 29.6.
The Huskies, on the other hand, are one of the worst teams in the country defending the 3-point shot, ranking 317th at 36.9%.
“We’ve been struggling guarding the 3-point line, so (today) we want to prove that we can guard the 3-point line and we can guard all three levels and that we have a great defense,” sophomore Donovan Clingan said.
The Huskies have to avoid looking past today’s opponent and looking forward to their next game — a showdown at No. 7 Gonzaga on Friday in Seattle.
“We’ve just got to look at it as if it’s any other game,” Karaban said. “We’ve got to continue to be relentless and continue to do what the coaches want us to do. We can’t let up, especially coming off a big win and then heading into a big time game next week.”
News and notes
Karaban, who had his middle and ring finger taped together on his right shooting hand for the North Carolina game, suffered the injury in practice. “It got dislocated. It got caught up in a jersey and it bent in a weird freaky way. It’s good right now.” ... Clingan (toe, foot) gave an update on his health. “I feel like I’m right there. Obviously, some days I’m more sore than others, but I’m right there.”