UConn and Michigan are dealing with injury concerns to some key players ahead of Monday night’s national championship game, but Wolverines star Yaxel Lendeborg is more likely to play than Huskies guard Solo Ball.
Ball missed practice Sunday because of a sprained foot. He said he expected to play, but UConn head coach Dan Hurley said Ball’s status was uncertain as his foot remained in a walking boot.
“I’m doing everything I can to prepare for tomorrow,” Ball said. He injured his left leg in a tangle with teammate Tyrese Reed Jr. in the first half of UConn’s semifinal victory over Illinois. “So, it’s a bump in the road, but I’m still going to play.”
Lendeborg, meanwhile, suffered a left ankle injury and wore a protective brace to cover his left knee in the second half of Saturday’s 91-73 loss at Arizona. But the All-American immediately said he will play in Monday’s game.
When Lendeborg was asked if he would miss Monday night’s game, he said, “Absolutely not.” “Until I wake up and get knocked off my feet, I’m going to stay in that game.”
Less than 24 hours after playing 28 minutes and scoring 13 points in a 71–62 win over the Illini, Ball had a boot put on his left foot. The Huskies advanced to their third national championship game in four years.
Ball said the adrenaline helped him carry through the rest of the game and “I’m doing everything I can to prepare” for Monday night’s game against the Wolverines.
Ball started all 38 games he played, averaging 12.9 points. Coach Dan Hurley would not commit to whether his junior guard would play Monday night, saying he would know more about Ball’s condition after an MRI.
As for Lendeborg, he played five minutes in the first half before re-injuring his left ankle. Team officials later announced that he also suffered a knee injury. But Lendeborg bounced back in the second half and made two key 3-pointers to lead the Wolverines to their first title game since 2018.
Michigan head coach Dusty May said he is “confident” Lendeborg will give it a chance and play against UConn on Monday.
“He played the second half like a 38-year-old player at the YMCA,” May told Lendeborg reporters. “And a very nice 38-year-old man at the YMCA.”
The Wolverines have lost four consecutive championship games since defeating Seton Hall in overtime for the school’s only national title in 1989.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
