It’s officially been over a week since the UConn men’s basketball team won their sixth national championship, but the program has made sure that they won’t be relishing the moment for too long. With the ever-changing nature of college basketball and the unforgiving reality of the transfer portal, teams always need to be quick on their feet and the Huskies have shown that they’re ready to act.
Wednesday, April 17 was a big day for the program’s offseason as the team acquired Tarris Reed Jr., a 6-foot-10 big man from the University of Michigan.
With Donovan Clingan departing for the NBA, it was essential that the Huskies retooled with a major frontcourt addition. While the team still has both Samson Johnson and Youssouf Singare on the roster, getting a player like Reed is a fantastic move.
Why the former four-star recruit makes sense for Connecticut is fairly obvious; with the way that coach Dan Hurley has utilized the five spot in both of his back-to-back national championship rosters, he would be looking for another big man to complement Johnson. In 2023, Clingan was the Robin to Adama Sanogo’s Batman. The Bristol native would then step into being the main man in the middle for the Huskies in 2024, with Johnson coming off the bench.
With someone like Reed, who comes to Storrs after playing 26.5 minutes with the Wolverines and averaging 9 points along with 7 rebounds, there are a lot of positives. His size and strength are great, allowing him to be a beast on the boards and take plenty of contact on the way to some impressive finishes in the paint. He does most of his offensive game close to the basket, being a back-to-the-basket big man with the potential to improve as a post scorerIt’s also important to note Reed’s ability to cut to the basket: a core feature of UConn’s offense from last season and another natural fit in this system.
These are skills that a UConn coaching staff can certainly help him improve upon, and while he may not be perfect in year one, he’s certainly got the tools to make a major impact.
On the defensive end, Reed has also shown some major positives. He’s been a solid paint protector, having multiple 5-block games last season, and has shown the potential to be a strong on-ball defender for his size. Like his offensive game, there’s plenty of room for growth.
But his weaknesses are notable as well. At the top of that list are his turnovers, with Reed carrying a 23.4% turnover rate according to KenPom. As the former Wolverine big man develops over time, that’s something that the coaching staff will certainly look to minimize. That turnover problem directly correlates to his hands and making sure that he is consistent with catching the ball or making a move.
While his statistics may not stick out to many Husky fans from last season, it’s important to note how much the Wolverines struggled, and his statistics alone certainly don’t tell the full story of what he can bring to the table. Interesting enough, this is a player that was once ranked higher than Clingan on the 2022 ESPN Top 100 recruiting rankings. What can he do with the help of a coaching system that has helped push players to their limits and take their game to new heights? That remains to be seen.
What we do know is that Reed has plenty of potential, and his skillset shows that he can certainly compete with Johnson for the starting job as next season creeps closer. The road ahead may look tough, but he’s certainly up for the challenge.
“I chose UConn for its winning culture, commitment to player development and coaching style,” Reed told Joe Tipton of On3 Sports. “Coach Hurley’s tough coaching style is known for pushing players into uncomfortable situations, making the uncomfortable seem comfortable. UConn provides the ideal setting and coaching for me to maximize my potential both on and off the court.”