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Top 40 Indiana basketball players of all-time: Who lands in the 20’s?

By Connor O’Keefe

DAYTON, OH - MARCH 24: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Hoosiers walks off the court after defeating the Temple Owls during the third round of the 2013 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at UD Arena on March 24, 2013 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
DAYTON, OH - MARCH 24: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Hoosiers walks off the court after defeating the Temple Owls during the third round of the 2013 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at UD Arena on March 24, 2013 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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Indiana basketball
Mar 1972; St. Louis, MO, USA, FILE PHOTO; UCLA Bruins center (32) Bill Walton blocks a shot against Indiana Hoosiers center Steve Downing (32) during the 1973 Final Four. UCLA beat Indians 70-59 to advance to the championship game. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

Indiana basketball career stats: 16.1 PPG, 11.7 RPG, 48.0 FG%, 76 GP

Steve Downing played in just three seasons in the 1970’s for the Hoosiers and had astounding junior and senior seasons. Downing averaged 17.5 points and 15.1 rebounds in 1971-72, then followed that season averaging 20.1 points and 10.6 rebounds in 1972-73 on his way to a First Team All-Big Ten honor.

One of his best games of his career came in the third place game against Providence in the 1973 NCAA Tournament, where he led the Hoosiers with 21 points and 14 rebounds in a win. In the 1973 NCAA Tournament, Downing averaged 24.7 points, 10.5 rebounds, and shot 57.9 percent from the field and earned himself an All-Tournament team that postseason.

Though Downing played just three seasons for Indiana basketball, he was able to establish himself as one of the greats in IU history, ranked in the top 10 in the following statistical categories for career and single season numbers:

Total rebounds: 889 (5th)
Minutes played per game: 33.8 (8th)
Total rebounds per game: 11.7 (3rd)
Field goals made (single season): 246 in 1972-73 (tied for 9th)
Total rebounds (single season): 377 in 1971-72 (2nd)
Total rebounds per game (single season): 15.1 in 1971-72 (3rd)

For his outstanding college career in Bloomington, Downing was selected 17th overall in the 1973 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics. He only played 27 games, scored 64 points, and grabbed 39 rebounds in two seasons. Though he didn’t amount to much in the NBA, Downing is considered one of the best Indiana basketball players of all-time.

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