A men's college basketball team has yet to win three national championships in the span of four years since John Wooden's UCLA squads won 10 of 12 from 1964 to 1976.
UConn is looking to snap that streak.
After winning back-to-back titles in 2023 and 2024, head coach Dan Hurley finally lost a tournament game in 2025 to No. 1 Florida - the eventual champions.
This year's 2026 team is 4-0 in the tournament, and Hurley is looking to make his program a true dynasty.
A balance team with size, shooting, experience, and talented freshmen this year's team has it all.
Freshman guard Braylon Mullins hit an iconic shot against Duke in the Round of 8 to get UConn into the semifinal game, but it's been big man Tarris Reed Jr. that has increased the ceiling of the team with his phenomenal play in the tournament.
Reed Jr., 6-10 and 280 pounds, has scored 20+ points in three of the four games of the tourney, including his monsterous 31-point, 27-rebound output he had against Furman in the Round of 64.
Matched up against Cam Boozer, Patrick Ngongba II, and Maliq Brown against Duke, Reed put up 26 and nine - a dominant performance against three stout defenders in the paint.
Overall on the year, Reed Jr. has averaged 14.7 points and 8.8 rebounds per game while shooting a Big East-leading 62.1% from the floor.
Reed and UConn will have another tough battle inside when they line up against Zvonimir and Tomislav Ivisic of Ilinois.
Both over seven-feet tall, Zvonimir averages 2.0 blocks per game while only seeing 17.5 minutes of action per game over the course of the season.
Ahead of the collision course between two terrific teams in this year's tournament, let's take a look at Reed Jr.'s player props, odds, and lines on bet365.
Tarris Reed Jr. Player Props - NCAA Tournament vs. Illinois
First Basket
Tarris Reed Jr. | +400 |
Points
Over 16.5 | -105 |
Under 16.5 | -120 |
20+ | +205 |
25+ | +350 |
30+ | +1600 |
35+ | +1800 |
40+ | +3500 |
Rebounds
Over 9.5 | -125 |
Under 9.5 | +100 |
13+ | +260 |
15+ | +600 |
17+ | +1100 |
Assists
Over 2.5 | -110 |
Under 2.5 | -115 |
5+ | +525 |
7+ | +1700 |
Points + Assists + Rebounds
Over 29.5 | -112 |
Under 29.5 | -112 |
Double Double
Yes | -112 |
No | -112 |
Read the latest college basketball news on site.
Read Keaton Wagler's player props on site.
Odds displayed within this article were correct at the time of writing and are subject to change. Collegiate player props available in select states.
