UConn is now 16-7 and has dropped four conference games. Definitely not a good look for a team chasing a three-peat. And that three-peat hope just got dimmer—almost bleak—with the new AP Poll ranking. But amidst all this turmoil, one player is having the best time of his career. However, before he gets too comfortable at the top, Dan Hurley just dropped a reality check on him.
Most UConn fans expected Tarris Reed Jr. to be good, but not *this* good. Now, his decision to transfer to Storrs is looking like a win-win, both for the Huskies and for his own development.
Talking about the Michigan transfer, Hurley had some praise but also made sure to keep him grounded. “With Tarris, he’s a talented guy. I think we’ve been able to unlock an improvement from him in terms of production and efficiency. But, there’s even more that he’s capable of,” the coach said.
Basically, he meant that the 21-year-old baller has been doing well, but not well enough to have Hurley fully satisfied. There’s still work to be done and the HC strongly believes he has more in him.
Dan Hurley on Tarris Reed Jr. “With Tarris, he’s a talented guy. I think we’ve been able to unlock an improvement from him in terms of production and efficiency. But, there’s even more that he’s capable of.”
— Storrs Central (@StorrsCentral) February 10, 2025
But let’s not get it twisted. Reed Jr. is absolutely at the peak of his career right now. Back in his freshman year at Michigan, he scored just 116 points in total. As a sophomore, despite starting most games, he finished with 288 points. Now, in his first season with UConn, he’s already racked up 222 points—despite starting just once.
And he’s been stepping up in clutch moments, hitting double-digit scoring in multiple games including a 20 point performance in Xavier game and 22 point vs Memphis. Currently, he’s the fourth-best scorer on the team, averaging 9.7 points per game—a mark he never crossed in his past seasons.
Even in UConn’s recent 68-62 loss to St. John’s, when the starters struggled, Reed stepped up with 12 points and 15 rebounds. And speaking of rebounds, he leads UConn by a significant margin, averaging 7.1 boards per game.
He’s a beast in the paint, bullying smaller defenders with his back-to-the-basket game. And when he stays on the floor, he gives off serious Adama Sanogo vibes, something even Hurley himself has acknowledged.
If he keeps this up, he’s on track to be a major force in the Big East. And while the junior is having a career-best season, the same can’t be said for his team.
Dan Hurley’s Huskies take a hit in the AP Poll
UConn just fell out of the AP Top 25 Poll after their loss to then-No. 12 St. John’s last Friday night. The Huskies were ranked No. 19 before that defeat, marking the end of their 53-week streak in the rankings—the fourth-longest active streak in the country.
It’s been a rough stretch for the Huskies. They started the season at No. 3 and even held the No. 2 spot for consecutive weeks. But then came a three-game losing skid in Maui back in November. Over the past month, they’ve gone 4-4.
Even after a solid win over then-No. 9 Marquette, they dropped the ball against St. John’s at home, committing 22 turnovers that led to 18 easy points for the Red Storm. That loss now places them fourth in the Big East standings.
As for the rest of the rankings, Auburn stayed at No. 1 despite a loss to No. 3 Florida. The Tigers have been at the top for five weeks now, receiving 34 first-place votes. Alabama moved up to No. 2, while Florida and Duke are tied for No. 3, just ahead of Tennessee. Houston, Purdue, Texas A&M, St. John’s, and Iowa State round out the top 10. Marquette, after losing to Creighton, slid seven spots to No. 18. Meanwhile, St. John’s cracked the top 10 for the first time since the 1999-2000 season.
Connecticut Huskies head coach Dan Hurley reacts to an official’s call in the first half of the NCAA Big East Conference Tournament second round game between the Connecticut Huskies and the Xavier Musketeers at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Thursday, March 14, 2024.
As for Dan Hurley’s squad, looking ahead, they have a crucial road trip that could define their season. Matchup against No. 24 Creighton and Seton Hall are absolutely must wins to get back on track. Let’s see if they can make this happen!
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