Tarris Reed Jr. from UConn is excelling at the right moment during March Madness

INDIANAPOLIS — Taris Reed Jr.’s Dominance Shines Through

Taris Reed Jr. quickly moved to collect a pass and was visibly searching for a foul call.

Just a few weeks back, his energy might have been directed elsewhere. Yet, here he was, a transformed player—confident and assertive, stepping up when it mattered most. He relished the challenge and aimed to help his team prevail.

“I caught the coach’s eye [Dan Hurley] and said, ‘Alright, coach, I’ve got this,’” he quipped. “’Let me take that foul for you.’ It’s as if he was eager to hit the opponent hard.”

In a standout performance, Reed played a crucial role in leading the No. 2 seed Connecticut to a 71-62 victory over No. 3 seed Illinois, advancing them to their third national championship game in four years. Standing at 6-foot-11, Reed was undeniably the top player on the court.

He made his presence felt early on, finishing with 17 points and 11 rebounds—his third double-double of the NCAA Tournament. His steady performance caught my attention; he has been averaging 20.8 points, 13.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.8 blocks. What really stands out is his improvement at the free-throw line, converting 26 of 34 attempts after struggling throughout the season. That used to be a point of contention for the senior, who often faltered under pressure.

However, not anymore. He has dominated the paint in all five of the team’s March Madness games.

“This is the version of him we’ve all been waiting for,” Hurley remarked. “He’s one of the top players in this tournament, possibly the best on the floor. It took time to get him here, but he’s arrived. If he can maintain this level of play throughout his career, it’ll be impressive.”

This was the success Reed envisioned when he decided to transfer before his junior season after two years at the University of Michigan. Hurley’s track record was a significant factor in his choice. Though his first year with the Huskies didn’t unfold as planned—they lost to the eventual national champions, Florida, in the second round—he’s now one win away from achieving his championship dream.