2023-24 college basketball big man ladder: Zach Edey, Armando Bacot lead standout group
Dominant big men headlining college basketball has become a theme in the sport. Here is a look at where the best big men in the country rank...NOVEMBER 6, 2023
OUMAR BALLO #11 - CENTER - INDIANA HOOSIERS
13.0 PPG •
9.3 RPG •
1.7 APG
13.0 PPG
9.3 RPG
1.7 APG
Limited in preseason game Ballo (undisclosed) logged seven points (3-5 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-2 FT), five rebounds, two blocks and one steal across his 16 minutes during Arizona's exhibition game Monday against New...
Impact Ballo was limited to playing less than half of Arizona's exhibition game Monday. Though he may still be suffering from some lingering effects of his previous injury, it is important to note that exhibition games are meant to be taken lightheartedly, and he would have probably sat out again if entirely unready. Ballo has a week before the 2023-24 Wildcats begin their season by hosting Morgan State on Nov. 6. By then, Ballo is expected to play more than half a game. During the Wildcats' 2022-23 season, he played less than 20 minutes only once among his 35 games started.
OCTOBER 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Sits out exhibition with injury Ballo did not play in an Oct. 20 exhibition against Lewis and Clark due to an undisclosed injury, Bruce Pascoe of the Arizona Daily Star reports.
Impact The nature of the injury was not specified, though it's certainly possible the team is just being overly cautious due to the low-stakes nature of the contest. In Ballo's stead, Dylan Anderson picked up the start at center, recording 12 points (5-9 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT) and four rebounds in 19 minutes. Henri Veesaar also chipped in seven points and four rebounds in 18 minutes. Those two would presumably be the candidates for increased run if Ballo's injury extends into the regular season, but Arizona fortunately has another exhibition matchup Monday against New Mexico Highlands that should provide further clarification on the situation.
OCTOBER 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
College Basketball: FOX Sports' 2023-24 preseason All-America teams
The trend of dominant big men in college basketball is set to continue this season as Zach Edey, Hunter Dickinson and Armando Bacot highligh...OCTOBER 20, 2023
Solid outing in loss Ballo had 13 points (6-10 FG, 1-2 FT), 12 rebounds and one assist in 28 minutes during Thursday's 59-55 loss to Princeton.
Impact Ballo converted 60 percent of shots from the field, finishing with 13 points and 12 rebounds during Thursday's loss to Princeton. The 7-foot junior took a massive leap in his third collegiate season, averaging 14.2 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.7 steals and 1.3 blocks on 27.5 minutes per game (all career highs). Although the season is over for the Wildcats, the pair of junior forwards, Ballo and Tubelis, will look to be back with a vengeance next season.
MARCH 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Arizona Wildcats square off against Princeton Tigers in opening round of NCAA Tournament
MARCH 15, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Stoic Tubelis leads No. 8 Arizona back to March Madness
Arizona big man Azuoulas Tubelis' stoic nature often leaves teammates and coaches wondering if he's serious about something or jokingMARCH 14, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Plans to play through broken hand Ballo said after Arizona's 61-59 win over UCLA in Saturday's Pac-12 Conference Tournament championship game that he intends to continue playing through the fractured left hand he s...
Impact While sporting a black wrap and a splint around the two middle fingers on his left hand Saturday, Ballo started and played 26 minutes in the win over UCLA, finishing with 13 points (4-8 FG, 5-9 FT), eight rebounds and two blocks. Even before Saturday, Ballo had been converting at a 56.6 percent rate from the free-throw line for the season, so the 5-for-9 showing against UCLA isn't necessarily indicative of the hand injury affecting his shooting touch. The seven-foot, 260-pound center will continue to do most of his damage near the rim, both on the offensive end and defensive end, and it doesn't look as though his minutes will be affected as a result of the hand injury.
MARCH 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Posts double-double in win Ballo registered 14 points (7-10 FG, 0-2 FT), 10 rebounds, three assists and three blocks across 33 minutes during Friday's 78-59 victory over Arizona State.
Impact Ballo knocked own 7-of-10 attempts from the field, finishing with 14 points and 10 rebounds during Friday's win over ASU. The 7-foot junior has been hot recently, averaging 13.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 0.8 blocks on 27 minutes across Arizona's last six games. Ballo and the Wildcats will look to win the Pac-12 Championship during Saturday's showdown with UCLA.
MARCH 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
No. 8 Arizona beats Arizona St, gets title rematch with UCLA
Azuolas Tubelis scored 17 points and No. 8 Arizona beat Arizona State 78-59 on Friday night in the Pac-12 Conference Tournament semifinalsMARCH 11, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
No. 8 Arizona pulls away from Stanford, reaches Pac-12 semis
Oumar Ballo scored 24 points and No. 8 Arizona broke away late, beating Stanford 95-84 to reach the Pac-12 Conference Tournament semifinalsMARCH 10, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
No knee trouble Thursday Ballo (knee) chipped in 10 points (3-7 FG, 4-6 FT), five rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal in 26 minutes during Thursday's 87-81 win over USC.
Impact Ballo was limited to 18 minutes Saturday against Arizona due to a knee injury, but it didn't effect his availability for Tuesday. It appears he'll be clear to take part in Saturday's matchup at UCLA, as well as the Pac-12 tournament.
MARCH 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
No. 8 Arizona's Ballo finds balance in basketball and life
Oumar Ballo always had the power to bull through smaller opponents, his 7-foot, 260-pound frame pretty much ensuring every opponent was smallerMARCH 1, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Expected to play Thursday Ballo didn't practice Tuesday due to a knee injury but is expected to play in Thursday's game versus versus USC, Jason Scheer of 247Sports.com reports.
Impact Ballo injured his knee in Saturday's game versus Arizona State. However, he should remain in the starting lineup against USC.
MARCH 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Arizona State stuns No. 7 Arizona 89-88 on Cambridge's heave
Desmond Cambridge Jr. hit a 60-foot shot at the buzzer and Arizona State rallied from a 10-point deficit to beat No. 7 Arizona 89-88FEBRUARY 25, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
No. 7 Arizona looks for 25th victory this season in matchup against Arizona State
FEBRUARY 25, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Dominant outing in win Ballo supplied 18 points (8-13 FG, 2-4 FT), 16 rebounds, three assists and one block in 31 minutes during Saturday's 78-68 victory over Colorado.
Impact Ballo knocked down 8-of-13 shots, finishing with 18 points and 16 rebounds during Saturday's win over Colorado. The 7-foot junior has started in all 28 games this season, logging 14.6 points, nine rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.4 blocks on 27.8 minutes per game. Ballo and the Wildcats will look to cement their status as a top seed in the NCAA Tournament when they face off with ASU on Saturday.
FEBRUARY 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Big night by Oumar Ballo helps No. 8 Arizona past Colorado Junior big man Oumar Ballo scored 18 points and pulled down a career-high 16 rebounds as No.
FEBRUARY 19, 2023 • SACBEE.COM
Ballo dominates inside, No. 8 Arizona beats Colorado 78-68
Oumar Ballo had 18 points and 16 rebounds, Cedric Henderson Jr. added 15 points and No. 8 Arizona dominated inside to beat Colorado 78-68FEBRUARY 19, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
College basketball undergoing a big man revival
The Golden State Warriors changed the way the NBA game was played by playing small, spreading the floor and relying heavily on the 3-point shotFEBRUARY 16, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Utah visits Ramey and No. 8 Arizona
No. 8 Arizona plays the Utah Utes after Courtney Ramey scored 26 points in Arizona's 88-79 loss to the Stanford CardinalFEBRUARY 15, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Nears double-double in win Ballo posted 14 points (6-8 FG, 2-6 FT), nine rebounds, three assists and one block across 26 minutes during Thursday's 85-62 win over California.
Impact Ballo finished with 14 points and nine rebounds across 26 minutes during Thursday's win over California. The 7-foot junior has been a nightmare for opponents this season, averaging 15 points (65.7 percent), nine rebounds and 1.5 blocks on 27.7 minutes per game. Ballo and the Wildcats will look to retain their momentum into Saturday's matchup with Stanford.
FEBRUARY 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Perfect in win Ballo racked up 21 points (9-9 FG, 3-4 FT), 12 rebounds, six assists, one block and one steal across 33 minutes during Saturday's 95-72 victory over Washington.
Impact Ballo logged his eighth double-double of the season, finishing with 21 points and 12 rebounds during Saturday's win over Washington without missing a shot. The 7-foot junior bounced back in a major way, after scoring just one point in Thursday's matchup with Washington State. Ballo, who has averaged 15.6 points and 9.1 rebounds across 22 starts this season, will look to continue his solid contributions into Thursday's matchup with Oregon.
JANUARY 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
No. 6 Arizona pulls away in 2nd half, tops Washington 95-72
Azuolas Tubelis had 25 points and 10 rebounds, Oumar Ballo added 21 points and 12 rebounds, and No. 6 Arizona used a big second-half run to pull away for a 95-72 win over Washingto...JANUARY 29, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
