Malachi Smith Steps Up, UConn’s Bench Delivers in Win Over Providence
STORRS - Before UConn tipped off against Providence on Tuesday night, head coach Dan Hurley pulled aside Malachi Smith for a crucial conversation. The message was simple but powerful: We need you.
Smith, the Dayton transfer who had flashed his potential in big nonconference moments - remember his 14-point, nine-assist performance at Madison Square Garden against Illinois? - hadn’t quite found his rhythm in Big East play. His minutes were limited, his decision-making shaky, and UConn was leaning heavily on Silas Demary Jr., who’s had a tendency to get into foul trouble. The Huskies needed more from their backup point guard, and Hurley wasn’t shy about making that clear.
“He asked if I was mentally tough,” Smith recalled. “I told him, ‘Yes, Coach.’
That gave me a little confidence. He just told me, ‘Whatever minutes you get, make the most out of it.’
I just wanted to make sure I was ready.”
Smith didn’t just respond - he delivered. In one of his most complete performances since arriving in Storrs, he knocked down a career-best four 3-pointers without a miss, handed out seven assists, and added two steals, a block, and - maybe most importantly - zero turnovers. It was the kind of poised, efficient play that UConn has been waiting to see from him in conference action.
“He guarded, he played with a lot of energy, he picked his spots well,” Hurley said postgame. “He took good, open shots. He had a good approach.”
That approach was a welcome development for a UConn team that’s been struggling to knock down open looks. Hurley didn’t hide his frustration with the team’s shooting, but Smith’s performance helped steady the ship in a game that could’ve tilted the other way.
And he wasn’t the only bench player who made his presence felt.
Freshman big man Eric Reibe, who had seen limited action since the Huskies’ last matchup with Providence, played his most impactful game in weeks. With Tarris Reed Jr. healthy and back in the starting lineup, Reibe hadn’t needed to log heavy minutes. But on Tuesday, he was a difference-maker.
In 21 minutes - his most since early December - Reibe went a perfect 6-for-6 from the field, finishing with 14 points, eight rebounds, two blocks, and a steal. It was the kind of performance that reminded everyone why UConn is so high on his long-term potential.
“I think that’s the potential those two guys [Reibe and Reed] can give us on a nightly basis,” Hurley said. “We’ve got to get those guys the ball more. Obviously, we have to play Eric more because he had a huge impact on the game.”
Reed echoed that sentiment, praising his younger teammate with the kind of leadership you want from a senior.
“He’s really special,” Reed said. “He’s the reason we won the game.
Just me being older, having a young guy, a freshman that’s so talented, so poised - being his leader is really special. I’m pouring everything I’ve got into him, and seeing him out there like that was amazing.”
Together, Reibe and Reed formed a dominant one-two punch in the paint. The duo combined for 33 points on 14-of-15 shooting, 14 rebounds, six blocks, and two steals - a stat line that speaks to just how much they controlled the interior.
And while the Huskies were without Braylon Mullins, who’s in concussion protocol after taking a hit to the face against Villanova, there’s optimism about his return. Mullins was on the bench in street clothes, a sign that his recovery is trending in the right direction. UConn could use his scoring punch - especially considering he dropped 24 points on Providence in their last meeting, including the dagger in overtime.
Hurley offered a positive update on Mullins’ status.
“I think he’s doing well,” Hurley said. “He looked good, he’s going to potentially do some things on the court [Wednesday] just to see how he’s feeling. I think he’s healing well from it.”
The Huskies will need all hands on deck as they head to Omaha this weekend for a tough road test against Creighton. Last year, it took a monster 38-point double-double from freshman Liam McNeeley to get UConn its first-ever road win over the Bluejays. This time around, they’re hoping it doesn’t require another herculean effort - but if the bench keeps stepping up like it did Tuesday, they might not need one.