2. Oumar Ballo – Junior Center – #11
2022-23 stats: 8 GP, 26.5 MIN, 19.1 PPG, 9.3 REB, 2.3 OREB, 2.0 BLK, 76.9 FG%, 54.1 FT%
Oumar Ballo has turned into a completely different player this season from what I saw from him last season for the Wildcats. In 2021-22, Ballo played behind Christian Koloko (Toronto Raptors forward) and managed just two double-doubles and only one 20-point performance.
This season already, Ballo has three double-doubles and three 20-point performances, including a career-high 30 points and 13 rebounds on 14-for-17 from the field in a win against No. 10 Creighton in the Maui Invitational Championship game.
Ballo can be the complete dominant factor for the Wildcats in this game, especially with Trayce Jackson-Davis likely taking him on defensively and, hopefully, not getting in foul trouble. It wouldn’t be the worst thing to send Ballo to the free throw line a good amount in this game, especially after he just went 3-for-10 in his last game against Cal.