The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1516256
6 THE WOLVERINE ❱ DECEMBER 2023 ❱ TARRIS REED J R. SHINES AS BRIGHT SPOT IN TOUGH SEASON Michigan men's hoops checked in at 8-18 (3-12 Big Ten) as of Feb. 18 in a season to forget, but sophomore center Tarris Reed Jr. has been a silver lining in an otherwise un- derwhelming campaign under head coach Juwan Howard. Reed scored in double digits only once in the first nine games of the season, but he had nine such performances over the next 17 contests, rounding into form down the stretch. In a 73-63 loss to Michigan State Feb. 17, Reed led the Wolverines with a double-double — 15 points and 11 rebounds. "I did get off to a slow start, but I put in so much work in the offseason, and I've just got to trust it," Reed said earlier this season after a loss to Illinois. "When I'm at the line, I just trust what I've been doing all offseason and know what I've been doing my whole life is just having confidence at that line and knocking them down." Reed, averaging 9.1 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game this season, has been one of the most reliable members of the team on a night-to-night basis, and Howard has seen his growth. "I've seen him throughout the year get better and better each and every game," the coach said Feb. 9. "Seeing him every day, I've watched his growth. He's put in a lot of time in practice, individual sessions, in his non-practice days, as well as putting in work before practice." The key for Reed has been a faith-based approach that keeps him grounded. "It's been a rocky roller coaster," he said. "You win some games, feel like you have more control, and we lose. I just put my trust in Jesus and believe in him — that's the big- gest thing. He's my fuel. When I get tired on the court, I just lean on him." — Anthony Broome PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL THE BIG PICTURE