Feature article on Tarris Reed Jr. from New Haven Register

[HooperScooper]

One of those very long Mike Anthony feature articles.

“It's definitely been a challenge, but it's been a blessing,” Reed said of his UConn experience. “I had been praying on it. I put it on the Lord, to follow his steps. I didn't know where I wanted to go next [after choosing to enter the transfer portal]. As soon as I heard Coach Hurley called me, I had that feeling. I wanted to pick UConn, but I didn't know if I was ready. I haven't really done a lot in the college game and these dudes just won back-to-back championships. Like, why would they want a player like me? So coming here was tough at first. I'll never forget my first week here. I was struggling. … I still have ups and downs but I feel like I'm getting better and there's such a long way to go. It's a process. It's going to be beautiful and ugly. Got to stay even and just keep working.”

https://www.nhregister.com/sports/uconn-mens-basketball/article/tarris-reed-dan-hurley-michigan-uconn-huskies-20018732.php

Alternate access:

UConn’s Tarris Reed Jr., a sax-playing economics major, is learning to be a Grizzly on the court​

 

[ucp990411]

Just read it. Fascinating read

 

[ctchamps]

I maintain that a transfusion of Cam’s blood would be beneficial for Reed jr.

Really great article.

 

[Methalius]

I maintain that a transfusion of Cam’s blood would be beneficial for Reed jr.

You could state that for pretty much all of the Huskies. Cam was a killer. When teams were down he didn't give them any hope. I love players like that.

 

[Kitaman]

Sounds like he needs one more year. Which is fine for this fan!

 

[dogpause]

Love Taris, he just seems to improve with every game. Gives me the sense that there is a lot of upside that we haven't seven see yet.

 

[Poe]

I don’t think he’s very comfortable yet and he’s been very good. By the end of the conference season I really think he’s going to be dominating and scoring at least 15 points with 10 rebounds a game.

 

[Jaydumo20]

I didn't hear any analyst, or coach or online hack predict this guy was going to be as good as he is. Why did Hurley and the staff target him?

In this day of college and pro basketball, there is not a better consortium of coaching and recruiting acumen than the four guys that run this team. They are better than every single coach or coaching staff in the country right now. Nate Oats? a valid #2 but...Nope. Izzo? Nope. Self? Nope. KSam? Nope. This is the new standard. Nearly every program wants to be them or throw money to hire them:

T Newt
Tarris
Cam
Hass

These guys weren't big time studs. But genius has great imagination.

 

[dennismenace]

Tarris is going to be fine. Our staff will bring the best out in him because he is teachable and has character.

Can you imagine him as a track star running 100, 200 and 400 yd sprints and strong enough to compete in the shot put in HS?

It is going to be interesting to watch this athlete develop his gifts over the next 1 and1/2 years.

 

[tuvent08]

It's so evident why this staff is very selective in whom they focus in on their recruiting. You have to be made of certain stuff to be able to thrive in this environment. Each of these kids, at least based on media appearances, is a lot more substantive and mature than I was in my teens and early 20s.

 

[50cPitchers]

Keeps getting better and better this year. Could be out of this world next year

 

[ctchamps]

Wrote this in the "Ross Enigma" thread:

However I think Hurley is using the tough love approach with Stewart and Reed because he's come to the conclusion that they develop better from this approach. Neither of them appear to be upset with how Hurley is approaching them. Reed has gone on record saying that's what he wants from Hurley. His improvement from Michigan has shown it works.

Wrote this in the "If Reed can play like he did" thread:

This correlates with first half playing time in the Providence game and what Reed said in the press conferences.

He said there was a lot of yelling before he came into that second half and played like a Kodiak. When asked what was all the yelling was about he hedged his statement. But it's obvious the coaches are yelling at him to play like the beast he is. It's not talent that's the problem for Reed. It's getting worked up to play to his abilities. Apparently he lacks that inner drive to push himself. I'd give him a transfusion with Cam's blood.

This article confirms what I thought about how the staff is approaching Reed. What makes this coaching staff one of the best if not the best coaching staffs is the ability to understand the personalities of their players in addition to their skill levels. They tailor their approach to each player specifically to what gives each player the best opportunity to maximize their potential.

Borges really got Reed to open up and reveal who he is as a person. One of the best interview articles I've read. I'm a little concerned after reading it if Reed can accept this hard love until he removes that part of him that feels it's wrong to play aggressively. The coaches are earning their pay in guiding this wonderful if confused young man.

 

[Stinger92860]

Great article and great young man

 

[UC0NN]

Incredible article in every way.

 

[Umami Zen]

TR is just scratching the surface. Doesn't know how good he is/can be yet

 

[Chin Diesel]

As soon as I heard Coach Hurley called me, I had that feeling. I wanted to pick UConn, but I didn't know if I was ready. I haven't really done a lot in the college game and these dudes just won back-to-back championships. Like, why would they want a player like me? So coming here was tough at first. I'll never forget my first week here. I was struggling. … I still have ups and downs but I feel like I'm getting better and there's such a long way to go. It's a process. It's going to be beautiful and ugly. Got to stay even and just keep working.”

I didn't hear any analyst, or coach or online hack predict this guy was going to be as good as he is. Why did Hurley and the staff target him?

In this day of college and pro basketball, there is not a better consortium of coaching and recruiting acumen than the four guys that run this team. They are better than every single coach or coaching staff in the country right now. Nate Oats? a valid #2 but...Nope. Izzo? Nope. Self? Nope. KSam? Nope. This is the new standard. Nearly every program wants to be them or throw money to hire them:

T Newt
Tarris
Cam
Hass

These guys weren't big time studs. But genius has great imagination.

Tarris is going to be fine. Our staff will bring the best out in him because he is teachable and has character.

Can you imagine him as a track star running 100, 200 and 400 yd sprints and strong enough to compete in the shot put in HS?

It is going to be interesting to watch this athlete develop his gifts over the next 1 and1/2 years.

What the staff has done is bring in players with high skill and character and ZERO sense of entitlement. He brings the transfers in and promises them the opportunity to work and become part of what he has built. None of these transfers are McD AA's or high profile players from other high level programs who may have a sense of entitlement or achievement prior to coming to UConn.

 

[huskeynut]

Great article.

But more important, a fine young man.

 

[Methalius]

I love his old school throwback game. I think his footwork and his touch has impressed me the most. He's obviously no where near as polished and doesn't have the same build but his low post game reminds me a touch of Kevin McHale's. He can legit score down low and he can obviously rebound. I thought he was going to just be this big space eater but he has good post moves and he is very nimble for his size.

 

[RichZ]

Great info and very well written. Tarris is a unique player, and our staff will get the best out of him.

 

[AllHusky]

I maintain that a transfusion of Cam’s blood would be beneficial for Reed jr.

Really great article.

Is Cams Blood officially a thing? Might be a great Cocktail at local sports bars. Maybe a contest for mixology, winning recipe wins 2 tix for a HCC game.

 

[AllHusky]

I didn't hear any analyst, or coach or online hack predict this guy was going to be as good as he is. Why did Hurley and the staff target him?

In this day of college and pro basketball, there is not a better consortium of coaching and recruiting acumen than the four guys that run this team. They are better than every single coach or coaching staff in the country right now. Nate Oats? a valid #2 but...Nope. Izzo? Nope. Self? Nope. KSam? Nope. This is the new standard. Nearly every program wants to be them or throw money to hire them:

T Newt
Tarris
Cam
Hass

These guys weren't big time studs. But genius has great imagination.

Never did this before, but I was a Tarris Reed believer early on, well before this post:

1. Tarris Reed​

   Nice post, thanks. If he develops quickly he might be a portal one and done!!Hope not hope so Happy not happy
   • AllHusky
   • Post #69
   • Aug 29, 2024
   • Forum: UConn Men's Basketball Forum

 

[Jaydumo20]

Never did this before, but I was a Tarris Reed believer early on, well before this post:

1. Tarris Reed​

   Nice post, thanks. If he develops quickly he might be a portal one and done!!Hope not hope so Happy not happy
   • AllHusky
   • Post #69
   • Aug 29, 2024
   • Forum: UConn Men's Basketball Forum

Well done. And I would never call YOU a hack.

 

[The Viking]

Typical great article from Anthony.

Love the fact this kid can read and play music. A lost art. Sax is a great instrument.

Great kid to root for.

 

[Huskyforlife]

It's remarkable how this staff finds a blend of high character and natural talent so often. I really liked the part where he admitted to not prioritizing basketball right away at Michigan, that obviously slowed down his development, and led to him being excited about Hurleys coaching style.

He also plays multiple instruments and didn't waste his education on something fake/useless. He's a smart guy, will be successful after basketball for sure.