Tarris Reed Jr posts historic numbers as UConn survive Furman scare
Tarris Reed Jr produced one of the most dominant performances in NCAA tournament history, registering 31 points and 27 rebounds on Friday night to help second-seeded UConn avoid a massive upset with an 82-71 victory over Furman.
The All-Big East center shot 12-of-15 from the field to rescue the Huskies from what would have been a seismic shock against the number 15 seeds in Philadelphia.
He joins basketball legend Bill Walton as the only player in the past 60 years to record 30 points and 20 rebounds on 80% shooting in a tournament fixture.
Walton famously achieved the feat for UCLA during the 1972 national semifinals against Louisville.
A ‘total monster’ in the paint
Despite his breathtaking individual display, the towering big man felt he could have offered even more.
“I feel like I let my foot off the gas a little bit in the second half,” he said.
Head coach Dan Hurley was quick to praise his star player, noting that the team needed every bit of his production alongside Alex Karaban’s crucial 22 points.
“That’s as dominant a performance as you’ve probably seen from a big guy in tournament history,” Hurley stated.
“This guy’s a total monster, and today he was a real grizzly bear.”
Reed also became the first player to record 30-plus points and 25-plus rebounds in an NCAA tournament game since Houston’s Elvin Hayes achieved the feat twice in 1968.
Overcoming injuries and offensive struggles
For much of the contest, the heavy pre-match favourites looked in genuine danger of a humiliating early exit.
The Huskies struggled immensely from beyond the arc, missing 20 of their 25 three-point attempts to leave the door open for their underdog opponents.
When Alex Wilkins hit a crucial three-pointer for the Paladins to cut the deficit to five points with under six minutes remaining, an incredible upset seemed highly plausible.
“I thought if we could have gotten a score there, we really could have made the game interesting,” admitted Furman coach Bob Richey.
However, a decisive 12-4 run down the stretch, anchored by their unstoppable center, ensured Connecticut advanced to the second round.
The Huskies were forced to navigate the tricky tie without first-team All-Big East selection Silas Demary Jr, who sustained an ankle injury during their conference tournament.
Jaylin Stewart also remained sidelined with a persistent knee issue, though Hurley remains hopeful either player could return for Sunday’s upcoming clash against UCLA.