UConn's Silas Demary Jr. and Tarris Reed Jr. Earn Spots on Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Watch List
The UConn Huskies have been locking teams down all season, and now two of their defensive anchors are getting national recognition for it. Guards Silas Demary Jr. and big man Tarris Reed Jr. have been named to the 25-player watch list for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year, a nod to just how dominant this duo has been on the defensive end.
UConn is one of only six programs to place two players on the list, and Demary and Reed are two of just three players from the BIG EAST to make the cut. That’s not just a tip of the cap-it’s a statement about how central these two have been to one of the stingiest defenses in college basketball.
Let’s break it down.
The Turnaround
Last season, UConn’s defense was solid, but hardly elite-ranking 75th in KenPom’s defensive efficiency and spending a good chunk of the year outside the top 100. Fast forward to this season, and the Huskies have completely flipped the script. They're now sitting at No. 5 in KenPom’s defensive efficiency rankings and are among the top 15 nationally in a host of key defensive categories.
They’re giving up just 64.3 points per game, good for 11th in the country. And they’re not just beating up on weaker opponents-they’ve held 11 teams under 40% shooting from the field and have allowed 65 points or more in regulation only seven times across 21 games. That’s consistency.
Silas Demary Jr.: The Disruptor
Demary Jr. has been a nightmare for opposing guards. He leads UConn in steals and ranks fifth in the BIG EAST with 1.8 per game.
But his impact goes well beyond the box score. He’s the guy at the top of the defense, applying relentless ball pressure and making life miserable for opposing backcourts.
Thanks in large part to Demary’s work on the perimeter, UConn is holding opponents to just 28.5% shooting from deep-seventh-best in the nation. That’s elite territory.
And when teams try to move the ball, they’re often forced into tough looks. Opponents are assisting on just 44.8% of their made field goals against UConn, which ranks 24th nationally.
That’s a sign of a defense that’s taking away rhythm and forcing isolation play.
Tarris Reed Jr.: The Anchor
While Demary sets the tone on the perimeter, Reed holds it down in the paint. The 6-foot-10 forward is the third-leading shot blocker in the BIG EAST with 2.1 swats per game, which also places him 25th nationally. His timing and presence around the rim have been huge for a team that prides itself on interior toughness.
Reed’s also pulling down 7.9 rebounds per game, good for fifth in the conference, and helping UConn dominate the glass. The Huskies lead the BIG EAST in rebound margin, which has been critical in limiting second-chance opportunities and controlling tempo. Opponents are shooting just 44.6% on two-point attempts against UConn-ninth-best in the country-and Reed is a big reason why.
Big-Time Performances Against Big-Time Offenses
It’s one thing to post strong defensive numbers. It’s another to do it against elite competition.
UConn has held some of the nation’s top offenses well below their season averages, including a statement performance against Illinois-the current No. 1 offense in KenPom. In that game, the Huskies held the Illini to just 61 points and under 32% shooting from the field.
That’s not just defense-it’s domination.
What’s Next
The Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Midseason Team will be announced on February 26, with finalists revealed on March 25 and the winner crowned on April 5. There’s still a lot of basketball left to be played, but if Demary Jr. and Reed Jr. keep anchoring this UConn defense the way they have, don’t be surprised if one-or both-are still in the conversation come April.
For now, the Huskies’ defense is doing more than keeping them in games-it’s winning them. And Demary and Reed are right at the heart of it.