Indiana Basketball: 5 takeaways from regular season

4. Race Thompson ready for breakout season

In a season that brought many positive moments, there were none better than the play of sophomore forward Race Thompson.

Following an injury-plagued first year and a half, the second part of this season has brought out a secret weapon for Archie Miller.

After averaging 2.9 points and 3.4 rebounds in 10.9 minutes per game through the first 20 games, Thompson has seen his production rise to 5.5 points and 5.7 rebounds in 20.1 minutes in the last eight games.

Looking at those as just stats, you wouldn’t be able to tell that Thompson was a crucial part of the rotation, but he is. Doing all of the little things that matter in order to win big games, Thompson has brought much-needed energy and toughness to the lineup at crucial times.

After having zero points in eight of the first 20 games, he has had just one such game since, with four games over seven points, something he did just twice prior. Scoring is not where the Hoosiers need him, however, and that is just a plus. On the glass and defensively is where Race Thompson makes his mark.

With two double-digit rebounding performances in that last eight games, he has totaled 14 offensive rebounds in that same span, creating a dynamic duo with Jackson-Davis on the offensive glass.

While Thompson is continuing to develop his offensive game, his play over the last month and a half have brought great hope and promise to what he will be like for the next two seasons.