Michigan basketball: Tarris Reed Jr. discusses his increasing role, improvement

Michigan Wolverines basketball freshman forward Tarris Reed Jr. backs up one of the best and most notable players in the country in junior center Hunter Dickinson. He’s waiting his turn, he says, and is developing behind the scenes. Some of his improvement has come to light in recent games, an exciting sign for the future … and U-M’s team this year.

“I would say it’s a learning process, and I have to be patient with the whole thing,” Reed said of his freshman season at Michigan. “But overall, it’s going pretty good. Of course, there are going to be some ups and downs. There are going to be days where I don’t like it. There are going to be days where I love it. Overall, I’m just trusting the process and having fun doing it.”

RELATED

• Wolverine TV: Phil Martelli, Tarris Reed Jr. preview Michigan-Northwestern, more

• Michigan basketball trying different frontcourt options: ‘Thump and bump,’ Will Tschetter

Reed is averaging 10.3 minutes per game for the season but has seen more than that in each of the last two games — at Michigan State (11) and at Iowa (20). He’s averaging 4 points and 3.8 rebounds per game in his last four appearances, fresh off a 2-point, 7-rebound game against the Hawkeyes.

“I’m definitely getting more comfortable out there,” Reed explained. “At first, I was learning, picking things up on the fly. The game has slowed down a little bit for me. But there are still times in the game where I’m speeding up and I’m rushing. I can overall just be patient and trust the process.”

For the first time this season, Michigan head coach Juwan Howard played Reed with Dickinson at the same time. The freshman was in during crunch time, too. He even guarded Iowa forward Kris Murray, one of the Big Ten’s top scorers, limiting his opportunities and contesting shots on both the perimeter and interior.

“I know what I can do on the defensive side,” the Michigan freshman said. “When Coach said I might be guarding Murray, it was just another game for me. I know his NBA talent, his offensive game, and I had to watch a lot of film on him to study his game. But overall, I feel like I did a good job of guarding him.”

Both Reed and Dickinson have spoken fondly of the front-court duo.

“Honestly, that was pretty fun,” Reed said. “We talked about it over the summer, and I knew it was eventually going to come. I didn’t know it would be so soon. It was fun having two bigs out there — me and Hunt for the first time. I know there were some ups and downs for our first time, but I’m looking forward to doing it again later on this season.”

Reed said he’s improved mightily since arriving on campus in the summer.

“I see strides on the defensive side, a little bit on the offensive side,” Reed said of his growth. “Really being able to learn and pick up things on the fly. But I still have a lot to work on, lot to improve on. I’m waiting my turn and trusting that process that, overall, I’m going to get better, day by day, and I see that in myself.”

Reed still has a ways to go, something he’ll readily admit. For example, the 6-10, 260-pounder commits 6 fouls per 40 minutes, the highest mark on Michigan’s team. He does a good job drawing fouls (4.8 per 40 minutes) but is shooting just 28 percent from the free throw line. While he’s been successful as a ball-screen roller, producing 1.1 points per possession, his post-up numbers are lacking (0.556 points per play).

“My jump shot,” Reed said of where he can get better. “My outside shooting. Attacking the rim. Catching the ball, being patient when I catch the ball and reading on the offensive side. Defensively, rebounding is a big thing that I need to improve on. Even though I’m rebounding a lot, I could do even more out there. So really just improving my overall game.”

Michigan roommates Tarris Reed Jr., Dug McDaniel forging a bond

Reed is roommates with fellow freshman Dug McDaniel, who’s taken over starting point guard duties with graduate Jaelin Llewellyn out for the season (torn ACL). The two love to argue, Reed revealed, but have a great connection on and off the floor.

“Every day, we’re battling head to head,” Reed said with a smile. “We’ll argue about anything. But I know it’s all out of love. And on that court, we push all of that aside and we’re gonna play together. I know that’s my dawg. I trust him and he trusts me, so we’re going to get it done, on and off the court.”

Added Reed, of what he and McDaniel argue about: “M.J. vs. LeBron. We’re arguing about who could dunk better, or even who’s taller. He’ll somehow convince me that he’s taller than me. So overall, we’re just having fun and love talking to each other.”