UConn center duo shows potential in first true high-major game together

Tarris Reed, Jr. made return to UConn lineup Tuesday, playing nearly 24 minutes as Huskies defeated Florida. (Photo by Hoops HQ)

By Connor Wilson (@Conman_815)

NEW YORK — All summer and in the early fall months, everyone around Storrs was raving about the potential that the UConn center position had, with some claiming it was going to be as powerful as we’ve seen it in the Dan Hurley era.

The formula has always been two players with different play styles manning the five and essentially splitting time, giving opponents unique looks that they needed to prepare for.

That formula is very much in play this season, though it hasn't really had a chance to be implemented yet. Tarris Reed, Jr. has been in and out of the lineup with separate hamstring and ankle injuries that sidelined him for five of the first nine games. In his absence, freshman Eric Reibe has been the saving grace for the Huskies up to this point in non-conference play.

“It was really good for my experience,” Reibe reminisced. “Obviously, we don’t want injuries to happen like that, but there’s still a lot that I can improve on and work on.”

With Reed missing key contests against Arizona and Kansas and not looking like himself in a minutes restriction against Illinois, the only other marquee game he was available for was against BYU in Boston. In that game against the Cougars, the breakdown of center minutes was Reed with 34 and Reibe six. We still haven’t seen a big game with the true split duo in action and one not dominating in minutes.

Until Tuesday night.

One of the more underrated rivalries over the past 15 years or so was renewed at Madison Square Garden, where UConn was able to squeeze out a 77-73 win in the Jimmy V Classic over Florida. It was also the first time against a high-major opponent that the Huskies had the luxury of a healthy center tandem.

“Tarris really boosted us offensively to start the game,” Alex Karaban said. “He just presents such a different look offensively and defensively. This was his first game back in a while. It was big-time for us.”

Reed scored six of the first nine points for the Huskies at the Mecca, hitting his first three shots and showing little fear against the highly regarded Gator frontcourt. It was a breath of fresh air for UConn fans, especially seeing how the big man performed his last time out against Illinois in a game where he clearly wasn’t anywhere near 100 percent.

“I think he's healthy enough now to be able to actually get in practice consistently and sharpen up his game,” Hurley said.  “He got off to a fast start, but then you saw some of the rust. But we don't win this game without his presence on the court.”

Once Reed headed to the bench, Reibe was inserted, and the level of talent and intensity didn’t feel like it changed much. In a back-and-forth first half, Reibe had seven key points, including a two-handed slam, a pick-and-pop three, and a backdoor cut for an open layup that forced a Todd Golden timeout and sent the Garden into a frenzy.

In the second half, the two were shifted in and out of the lineup to fight through Reed’s foul trouble. Reibe only had two points after halftime, but trimmed Florida’s lead from three to one and was the beginning of a 13-4 run over four minutes that shifted the momentum of the game back in favor of the Huskies.

Eric Reibe has been instrumental in keeping UConn afloat while

Tarris Reed, Jr. recovers from injury. (Photo by UConn Men’s Basketball)

By the final buzzer, Reed finished with 12 points in 24 minutes, while Reibe had an efficient nine points in 15 minutes. This was the first instance against a high-major opponent in which the duo each had respectable performances, as Reibe only had two points in six minutes against BYU and Reed was held without a field goal against the Fighting Illini. Reibe feels like Tuesday only scratched the surface.

“We’ve always talked about this,” Reibe said. “We just go out there and give it our all. When I go in, I can’t have the energy drop and just be up to his level. It’s gonna be great, for sure.”

The duo will have one last crack in non-conference play at showcasing that potential, as Texas comes to Hartford Friday night for the back half of a home-and-home. For UConn, it’s another chance to grow with all 15 players available.

“When all is said and done and we're fully healthy, I think it's a pretty formidable group,” Hurley said.