Reed’s Role Becomes Crucial

The season-ending knee injury suffered by Dan Gadzuric presents a new opportunity but also puts some pressure on Travis Reed, who for much of the season was the first big man off the bench.

Now, with the NCAA tournament starting next week and the Bruins suddenly without their biggest player, his inside contributions will be needed more than ever.

“It’s both,” Reed said. “There’s pressure on me to perform and an opportunity for me to play.”

Reed is averaging 16.4 minutes, but played no more than 10 in three of the four games before torn cartilage forced Gadzuric’s departure. In the two since, Reed played 11 against Washington State last Thursday and 14 against Washington on Sunday.

“We practice hard every day, so I’m still in shape,” he said. “But my rhythm is not as good as when I was playing before. But it’ll come back with the more I play.”

It was back against the Huskies. Reed made four of five shots in the second half, and five of seven overall, to help turn back a Washington rally. One concern for the Bruins though, could be that he grabbed only one rebound in the 14 minutes.

Coming up: Thursday at Arizona State, Saturday at Arizona.