Solo Ball

[connVA]

Been thinking this for awhile, but last night cemented it in my mind. I can see Solo making a Kemba/Shabazz-type leap from sophomore to junior year. Not exactly apples to apples, as they play different positions, but it really looks like Solo is figuring things out.

How beautiful would it be to see Solo pull a McGee anklebreaker on Kalkbrenner or Freemantle in the BET. Not sure he has the handle to pull it off just yet.

 

[Stasher599]

I definitely agree that it seems like the game has slowed for him and he just looks more comfortable with the ball in his hands. I love seeing him attack the rim like he has recently. I have a feeling we start to see him in more mock drafts.

 

[3rdbass]

I definitely agree that it seems like the game has slowed for him and he just looks more comfortable with the ball in his hands. I love seeing him attack the rim like he has recently. I have a feeling we start to see him in more mock drafts.

Why do we always have to do that to our players? Prop them up to be in NBA players. Just let Ball play and see where the season ends. He would have to improve his ability to drive and finsih as well as defense to even sniff the NBA right now. Right now he isn't an NBA high prospect but just a good college player who can shoot the ball. Time will tell if he gets there but lets enjoy this season with him.

 

[aburks41]

He’s going to be a lottery pick after next year. He’s already the best shooter in college basketball, and is starting to add in legit rebounding numbers. When he gets his defense up a bit and keeps developing his offense — which we have seen flashes of his driving ability— he will be a nearly unstoppable player in college. It also doesn’t hurt that he has a 40” vertical and a 7’ wingspan at 6’3”. He’s going to be a very good NBA player one day

 

[UC0NN]

He doesn't have ideal height for a shooting guard at 6.3, but he has the tools the NBA wants. And his height issue isn't such a big deal with how easily he gets his shot off.

Just look how long it takes AK and Diarra to get their shot off when they are not wide open. Huge difference.

 

[El Obrero]

I think there’s nothing more essential to the success of this team going forward, aside from McNeeley coming back healthy, than finding as many open looks for Solo Ball as possible.

 

[caw]

He doesn't have ideal height for a shooting guard at 6.3, but he has the tools the NBA wants. And his height issue isn't such a big deal with how easily he gets his shot off.

Just look how long it takes AK and Diarra to get their shot off when they are not wide open. Huge difference.

A bit of Ben Gordon in terms of NBA pluses and minuses.

That said Ben might have had a longer career with two changes (timing and his personal demons), and he still had an 11 year career with a 40%+ from three and over double digits for 9 of those year.

So Solo has a decent shot at playing a long time, IMO.

 

[Woof 101]

What a great game for a player with his actual name to brake out and solo ball. Of course very much a team game but to step up as he did is very encouraging with AK finding his game again and Liam coming back. Our future may be bright enough to wear shades.

 

[bendm]

Starting to worry about having to replace both starting Gs in the portal lol

 

[uconnblueinky]

 

[TheChamps990411]

And I thought Liam was our best player. Solo has restarted this conversation.

When he adds his handles next season he will be 1st team All BE consideration.

If he averages nearly 20ppg the rest of the season he wont be back.

 

[storrsroars]

As one who complained about Ball being one-dimensional, I've pretty much shut up since mid-month.

As Solo has gotten more regular minutes, he just gets better. The last nine games (since 1/1), he's averaging 36 minutes and 18.7 PPG, which is several area codes from where he was in Nov/Dec. His 3% is over 50%. He's averaging 5.7 rebounds, and getting to the FT line more often. The assists aren't there yet, but he's not turning it over (1.7 APG vs 1.22 TOs)

 

[HCCForever]

Very timely. I watched prior to rebroadcast of Marquette game yesterday. Glad to see Solo is seeing success while being patient and following the process.

 

[3rdbass]

A bit of Ben Gordon in terms of NBA pluses and minuses.

That said Ben might have had a longer career with two changes (timing and his personal demons), and he still had an 11 year career with a 40%+ from three and over double digits for 9 of those year.

So Solo has a decent shot at playing a long time, IMO.

Ben was a lot better penetrator than Ball. He could play PG at times and had tons of nice assists. Ben was a true scorer while Ball is only shooter right now. Though he is progressing in other parts of his game.

 

[Scottobot]

He's earned his own thread because he's been carrying us on his broad shoulders.

I included the Depaul game where Liam got injured. In this past month for Solo...

19 ppg 6 rebounds 50% fg, 51% from three

When a poster said the other day he was bricking all his looks in the loss against Xavier, no he wasn't. He missed some big shots but he missed them by a sliver, dude is a sniper. We want him shooting those shots. The body of work is crazy at this point. He's hit way more big shots than he's missed and he's been carrying our offense since Liam went down.

Dude has caught too much heat for the things he isn't good at while not getting enough praise for the things he's really freaking good at. If you're paying attention the defense is coming along, the rebounding is getting a lot better, we're seeing driving and playmaking now...that was one of the best shooting displays I've seen from a Husky last night, it was dagger after dagger and it wasn't just his shooting that impressed.

When Liam got hurt everyone was talking about how that might give Ross or Stewart room to make a breakthrough, but it is Ball who has used the opportunity for a breakthrough. He was already a good player, but he has improved all aspects of his game and become a player who can carry a team.
His two recent games with 10+ rebounds are as impressive as the scoring. UConn needed a guard to help with rebounds.
Also when Diarra and Mahaney were in follow trouble he essentially brought the ball up and played PG, and did a really good job against a high pressure defense.
His defense has improved. He is a better defender than Stewart now.

 

[BuffaloHusky]

We knew that players would step up when Liam was out and it would change the dynamics of the team and Solo has done just that. When Liam is back the space on the floor is going to change yet again because like Hawk and Cam, there will be hyper focus on where Solo is which will automatically force players out of position trying to negate his cutting. That will open more back cuts for Alex and Samson and leave Reed in more one on one coverage. I can't wait to see what this offense likes mid February.

On a side note also, Solo's defense has also gotten dramatically better. One thing I noticed about a month ago that besides being hunted, Solo apparently had the distinction of providing irrational confidence to opposing players he defends. As soon as someone saw Solo guarding them, crazy three pointers seemed to multiply. That hasn't really been the case since the Creighton game and bodes well for the future.

 

[jibsey]

Solo is very astute, understands the process for someone as young as he is. Impressive.

 

[caw]

Ben was a lot better penetrator than Ball. He could play PG at times and had tons of nice assists. Ben was a true scorer while Ball is only shooter right now. Though he is progressing in other parts of his game.

Not wrong, but why I said a bit like Ben. Ben did have TO issues in the NBA IIRC.

 

[Umami Zen]

During Liam's absence- And with more defensive focus/scout from opponents on trying to take Solo out of the game-I've been impressed with the speed and efficiency of his footwork/balance to get shots off. To my eye-His mechanics have been fine-tuned and become elite. The form and accuracy have always been there. His floor game and secondary ballhandling proficiency as well as his commitment to hitting the boards has improved.

Maybe this carrying water and chopping wood vibe is helping. His body language is screaming confidence. Great to see.

 

[Sibeerian]

National rankings from NCAA stats


View attachment 106712

Four seniors and a junior ahead of him. Best shooter in his class.

 

[Zonepress]

Why do we always have to do that to our players? Prop them up to be in NBA players. Just let Ball play and see where the season ends. He would have to improve his ability to drive and finsih as well as defense to even sniff the NBA right now. Right now he isn't an NBA high prospect but just a good college player who can shoot the ball. Time will tell if he gets there but lets enjoy this season with him.

Why do we always have to do that to our players? Prop them up to be in NBA players. Just let Ball play and see where the season ends. He would have to improve his ability to drive and finsih as well as defense to even sniff the NBA right now. Right now he isn't an NBA high prospect but just a good college player who can shoot the ball. Time will tell if he gets there but let’s enjoy this season with him.

Completely agree
Many on the board don’t seem to realize how difficult it is to make an nba roster

 

[superjohn]

Not wrong, but why I said a bit like Ben. Ben did have TO issues in the NBA IIRC.

Ben averaged 3.1 turnovers his junior and senior year at UConn. Great scorer but I never thought he was all that good with the ball.

 

[jibsey]

At this stage of Solo’s sophomore year he is matching the biggest stars UConn has had in star quality and that is saying a lot. Don’t forget that those players had up and down games aplenty. We only usually remember the good for them.
Should he stay, by the end of next year he is on quality level with Ray, Shabazz, Richard, Khalid and more. But whether he will have the surrounding cast to get titles? It doesn’t always happen.

 

[HuskylnSC]

I think we are all used to, and usually expect, a sophomore jump in performance right from the first practice. Solo's jump was not as much as I expected but he has continued to grow with each game. To my eyes, he seems a little quicker each game. More hop (if possible) and more aggression, especially on the boards. My confidence in him has grown exponentially and It's been fun to watch.

 

[Scottobot]

Not wrong, but why I said a bit like Ben. Ben did have TO issues in the NBA IIRC.

Ben Gordon got a lot more playing time as a freshman, and stayed for 3 years. If Ball stays for a 3rd year I think we will see a well rounded dynamic player.