Steve, Lorri, Tyler and Cody Zeller discuss new book about family, faith
Feb 25, 2015Tarris Reed thriving as UConn men chase history, grateful that ‘Jesus wiped my eyes clean’
Mar 3, 2026As the 2025-26 college basketball season rounds its final turn and braces for the madness of March, the possibility of a historic run for the UConn Huskies men’s team grows more and more real.
If it were to cut down the nets next month at the Final Four in Indianapolis, No. 4 UConn (27-3) would become the first program since the legendary UCLA Bruins in the 1960s and ’70s to capture three national titles in four years. The Huskies currently have the sixth-best odds to win it all and accomplish the feat, according to DraftKings via ESPN.
>> Subscribe to Sports Spectrum Magazine for more stories where sports and faith connect <<
To contend amid a top-heavy college basketball landscape, UConn will need continued stellar play from center Tarris Reed Jr., who has quietly put together one of the more impressive seasons in the Big East Conference this year. Reed leads his team in both rebounds (7.9) and blocks per game (2.2), and he’s second in scoring (13.7). He also hands out 2.2 assists and grabs 1.0 steals per game.
All of these totals are career highs for the senior from St. Louis, who was celebrated on Senior Day before UConn’s 71-67 win against Seton Hall on Saturday.
Special day with a special group of guys.
Roll the tape 🎥↩️ pic.twitter.com/w68KepwvZN
— UConn Men's Basketball (@UConnMBB) March 2, 2026
Tarris block ➡️ Tarris finish pic.twitter.com/VyMh91m6dm
— UConn Men's Basketball (@UConnMBB) February 28, 2026
Reed’s college career began with the Michigan Wolverines in 2022-23, playing 12.6 minutes and averaging 3.4 points per game. He was inserted into the starting lineup for the 2023-24 season, but after the firing of coach Juwan Howard following a disappointing 8-24 campaign, Reed entered the transfer portal and committed to UConn.
In Storrs, Connecticut, Reed served as a key rotational piece off the bench last season, an effort that earned him the Big East Sixth Man of the Year award. However, he didn’t attribute his emergence to any on-court adjustments.
“The coaches have been on me hard, so as soon as I locked in, reading the Word, locking in with Him, spending more time with the Lord,” he said on the court after a game last March, “… my confidence is higher. And I just go out and play freely, play as hard as I can and put on for my team.”
Reed admits that he hasn’t always made following Christ a priority. But during his time at Michigan, a coach challenged him to read about the life of Jesus in the Bible.
“It changed my life,” Reed said of the experience. “The way I walk, talk, act, speak — Jesus has literally changed me from the inside out. I love talking about the Lord and what He’s done for my life, so I can go out and help others.”
Reed said that he continues to read his Bible every morning, and he frequently begins press conferences by praising God. His X account includes a banner photo with the words, “It’s all about Jesus, it’s only about Jesus and it’s always about Jesus.” His bio reads, “Pray more worry less.”
In January, during the dog days of the college basketball season, Reed appeared on Sports Spectrum’s “What’s Up” podcast.
“Jesus just wiped my eyes clean,” Reed said on the podcast about his spiritual growth. “I got to see the world through a whole new lens. That’s really where my journey began. That’s where the seed — my whole life — just grew and it started to blossom from there.”
"My whole life changed."
On Monday you can listen to our full conversation with @TarrisReedJr from @UConnMBB!https://t.co/38w3bP9ARo pic.twitter.com/nknqPhqO7v
— Sports Spectrum (@Sports_Spectrum) January 4, 2026
Senior year coming into focus! 🏀🎓
"Look at what the Lord has blessed me with." – @TarrisReedJr
Hear more from the @UConnMBB player now! https://t.co/38w3bP9ARo pic.twitter.com/Qtermi1mTN
— Sports Spectrum (@Sports_Spectrum) January 7, 2026
While Reed thrives as both a basketball player and a follower of Christ, he is helping UConn chase history.
The first step for the team is winning the Big East. The Huskies (17-2 in the Big East) lead St. John’s (16-2) by half a game for the regular-season conference title, and their final contest of the regular season is a road matchup with Marquette (10-19) on Saturday. Tip-off is set for 12:30 p.m. ET.
>> Do you know Christ personally? Learn how you can commit your life to Him. <<
RELATED STORIES:
— WHAT’S UP PODCAST: Tarris Reed Jr. – UConn basketball player
— Tarris Reed Jr. credits late-season run to ‘locking in’ with the Lord
— Dan Hurley leads UConn to another title, leans on his ‘faith in Jesus’
— Andre Jackson a hero for champion UConn, gives ‘all glory’ to God
— Tobe Awaka leading Arizona while also leading others closer to Christ
WHAT’S UP PODCAST: Nyla Harris – North Carolina Women’s Basketball Player
Mar 2, 2026THIS IS SPORTS SPECTRUM’S WHAT’S UP PODCAST
WITH ANNABELLE HASSELBECK
On today’s episode of Sports Spectrum’s “What’s Up” podcast, we have Nyla Harris!
Nyla shares about her journey to play college basketball, the mentality she brings on and off the court, and how the Lord has worked in her life!
“What’s Up” is part of the Sports Spectrum Podcast Network.
>> Do you know Christ personally? Learn how you can commit your life to Him. <<
View this post on Instagram
RELATED PODCASTS:
– Braelyn Baker, Duke Track & Field
– Ashley Jones, Colorado Cross Country
– Shay Ciezki, Indiana Women’s Basketball
– Kiara Romero, Oregon Golfer
– Tiare Jennings, USA Softball Shortstop
– Alex Loera, Utah Royals Midfielder
– Kyndal Stowers, Texas A&M Volleyball
– Kennedy Martin, Penn State Volleyball
– Ella Swindle, Texas Volleyball
– Ashley Cowan, LSU Gymnastics
PLEASE CONSIDER FOLLOWING, SUBSCRIBING AND LEAVING A REVIEW
WHAT’S UP PODCAST: Sydney Barker – North Carolina Women’s Basketball Player
Mar 2, 2026THIS IS SPORTS SPECTRUM’S WHAT’S UP PODCAST
WITH ANNABELLE HASSELBECK
On today’s episode of Sports Spectrum’s “What’s Up” podcast, we have Sydney Barker!
Sydney shares about her journey to North Carolina, fun memories with her team, and her heart for Jesus.
“What’s Up” is part of the Sports Spectrum Podcast Network.
>> Do you know Christ personally? Learn how you can commit your life to Him. <<
View this post on Instagram
RELATED PODCASTS:
– Braelyn Baker, Duke Track & Field
– Ashley Jones, Colorado Cross Country
– Shay Ciezki, Indiana Women’s Basketball
– Kiara Romero, Oregon Golfer
– Tiare Jennings, USA Softball Shortstop
– Alex Loera, Utah Royals Midfielder
– Kyndal Stowers, Texas A&M Volleyball
– Kennedy Martin, Penn State Volleyball
– Ella Swindle, Texas Volleyball
– Ashley Cowan, LSU Gymnastics
PLEASE CONSIDER FOLLOWING, SUBSCRIBING AND LEAVING A REVIEW
Tyler Tanner seeks to ‘spread the Gospel’ as he leads Vanderbilt toward NCAA Tourney
Feb 24, 2026As the calendar nears March, college basketball madness is on the horizon and talk of bracket busters, bubble teams and shining moments is heating up.
One team eyeing its own deep run in next month’s NCAA Tournament is No. 25 Vanderbilt, led by sophomore guard Tyler Tanner.
>> Subscribe to Sports Spectrum Magazine for more stories where sports and faith connect <<
The Commodores have compiled a 21-6 record (8-6 in the SEC) and climbed as high as No. 10 in the country in January on the strength of a potent offense that currently averages 87.2 points per game (12th in the nation). Tanner spearheads Vandy’s dangerous attack with 18.5 points and 5.2 assists per game, leading the team in both categories. He also swipes an impressive 2.44 steals per game, good for 10th in the country.
Tyler Tanner #Vanderbilt
HIT THE MUSIC #NBADraft pic.twitter.com/sRqzI2zVj0
— Tyler Rucker (@tyler_rucker) December 28, 2025
Tanner’s play has drawn the attention of many NBA scouts, with most draft boards listing him in the late 20s. The 6-foot, 175-pounder has shown the ability to compensate for his slight frame with his playmaking ability and knack for the game. Tanner has not indicated whether he’s leaning toward turning pro or returning to college for another year, but for him, the decision is much more than a basketball matter.
On Oct. 20, just before his breakout season on the court, the sophomore from Brentwood, Tennessee (outside Nashville), took part in an on-campus faith event. It was titled “Come As You Are” and brought together Vanderbilt athletics with various Christian ministries on campus. Hundreds of students attended the event to worship God, pray, and hear testimonies from Commodore athletes, and Tanner was one of those athletes.
“I want to be able to spread the Gospel to as many people as possible,” he said in the lead-up to the event, via an Instagram account promoting the night. “I want others to feel the Lord and grow in their faith just like me.”
View this post on Instagram
Tanner has also contributed to a 21-day challenge aiming to reach 26,000 college students in Nashville with booklets of the Gospel of John. He and teammate Coleson Messer filmed some brief reflections on John 10:10, which were then distributed on Instagram.
Tanner describes himself as an “ambassador for Christ” on his own Instagram account and has his favorite Bible verse, Jeremiah 29:11, as well as part of Joshua 1:9, tattooed on his left forearm. They are reminders that “the Lord is guiding my steps” and “the Lord is with me wherever I go,” he said last month via Vandy on SI.
He also makes sure he says a prayer before every game, which he says goes something like this: “God, help people see You through me.”
“That’s my whole purpose here on earth is to bring people to Christ,” he told Vandy on SI. “I tell myself to be a light when I pray.”
Tanner said he recognizes that, because of his basketball ability, he’s in a position to be a spiritual leader for his team and a guiding force pointing thousands of fans to Christ. As his star continues to rise in the college basketball world, so does his platform to display the glory of Jesus for all to see.
View this post on Instagram
Tanner and his Vanderbilt teammates have dropped their past two games — a one-point loss to Missouri on the road and a four-point decision to rival Tennessee at home. The Commodores will look to get back to their winning ways with four regular-season games remaining, beginning Wednesday against Georgia (19-8). Tipoff from Nashville is set for 7 p.m. ET.
>> Do you know Christ personally? Learn how you can commit your life to Him. <<
RELATED STORIES:
— Vandy hosts ‘Come As You Are’ with prayer, worship, athlete testimonies
— Tobe Awaka helping lead Arizona, also helping lead others closer to Christ
— WHAT’S UP PODCAST: Tarris Reed Jr. – UConn Basketball Player
— Winding road leads Yaxel Lendeborg to Michigan: ‘I thank God every day’
— From Division II to Drake to Iowa, Bennett Stirtz gives ‘glory to Him’
