Indiana basketball: Race Thompson is the glue guy the Hoosiers need

TWO DAYS. Indiana basketball will begin its 2022-23 season against Morehead State on November 7 and next on our roster countdown is senior forward, Race Thompson. Thompson is one of the most important “glue guys” in college basketball and is exactly who the Hoosiers need to succeed.

Race Thompson | 6’8″ 235lbs | Redshirt Senior Forward

Last season, only three players ranked in the top 15 in total rebounds and steals – two of those players were lottery picks in the 2022 NBA Draft (Keegan Murray – Iowa) and Johnny Davis – Wisconsin). The third player is the starting forward and the glue guy for Indiana, Race Thompson.

Thompson played and started in all 35 games last season and averaged 11.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.1 steals in 28.5 minutes per game. The only other Indiana basketball players over the past 10 seasons to average at least 11.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.0 steals are Juwan Morgan (twice), Troy Williams (2014-15), and Cody Zeller (2012-13).

Check out this Big Ten Network special on Race Thompson that was released last year as part of “The Journey”:

The Hoosiers were just 3-8 (.273) against ranked opponents last season and Thompson averaged 10.6 points and 8.4 rebounds. For IU to be better this season against ranked opponents, Thompson needs to make more of an impact in the box score and on the court.

Is there a possibility that Thompson can play himself into a potential undrafted rookie in the NBA that can do it all for teams? Draymond Green comparison anybody? If Thompson can continue to improve his three-point shot and show that he can do more offensively, this Indiana basketball team is going to be hard to beat with a pairing of two of the best big men in the Big Ten and one of the best freshman guards in the country.

Projected 2022-23 stats: 36 GP, 36 GS, 29.1 MIN, 12.3 PPG, 8.1 REB, 1.9 STL, 29 3PM