UConn center Tarris Reed Jr. etched his name into the record books on Friday night as Philadelphia hosted the matchup between the No. 2 seed Huskies and No. 15 seed Furman Paladins. The senior big man scored 31 points and pulled down 27 rebounds, the first player to reach 30-25 marks in an NCAA Tournament game since Elvin Hayes in 1968. He is also the first player since Bill Walton in 1972 to score 30 points and grab 20 rebounds on 80 percent shooting from the field in an NCAA Tournament game.
Reed was able to establish his rhythm early by using his strength advantage over Furman's Charles Johnston. By halftime, he had 19 points and 16 rebounds to help the Huskies overcome an ugly 1-14 shooting from three-point range.
"I would say with us, Tarris, we were getting great threes," said UConn Head Coach Dan Hurley. "It was stunning just the opportunities we're getting. I think it was a little bit frustrating, but we were just -- you almost didn't want to wear Tarris out, you know? So obviously, we knew we had an advantage there. They started the game with Johnston on him, which I think really got him going because he had a bigger physical advantage over Johnston than he did over Bowser."
Still, Reed would say he could have played even better- which is a scary thought. He was not too pleased with his second-half effort and focus.
"I feel like I let my foot off the gas a little bit in that second half," Reed said. "There was a period where I let a couple of rebounds go by, wasn't as strong with the ball, so I feel like playing that complete 40, not losing any bit of focus and trusting in the guys around me, trusting in my teammates. Feel like I could have done a better job playing the full 40."
Reed thought about his basketball mortality after the game. He was not a part of the back-to-back championship-winning UConn teams in 2023-24. If he has any say in the matter, he is going to end his college career with a ring.
"This is my last March Madness," Reed continued. "My days are numbered in college basketball. Just giving all I got and having fun with the guys around me. We have a special team and special coaching staff. Really just have fun and enjoy the process and enjoy the journey.
"Really go out there and play great. Play for the guys around me. Play for this guy right here," Reed said, sitting next to senior forward Alez Karaban. "His days are numbered, too, a legend in a UConn uniform."
"What? Play for UConn, don't play for me," Karaban retorted.
