Bryant comes up big to lead IU over Kentucky

DES MOINES, Iowa – Thomas Bryant scored two points in the first 30 minutes of Saturday’s second round NCAA Tournament game against Kentucky.

That was a 17 foot baseline jumper he made with about 5 minutes to play in the first half. Some of that was because he picked up two quick fouls again and would sit more than 10 minutes in the first half. The other reason is that the freshman center simply wasn’t demanding the ball enough in the post and often settling for holding the ball on the perimeter.

All of that changed in the game’s final 10 minutes. Bryant would score 17 of his game-high 19 points to lead No. 5 seed Indiana to a 73-67 victory over No. 4 seed Kentucky Saturday afternoon at the Wells Fargo Arena.

Bryant had some big shots inside and also connected on 7 of 9 free throws including two with 10.4 seconds remaining that put the Hoosiers on top 71-67.

Indiana (27-7) advances to the Sweet Sixteen in Philadelphia on Friday and Sunday of next week where it will first meet the winner of Saturday’s North Carolina-Providence game. For IU it’s the third Sweet Sixteen for head coach Tom Crean in the last five seasons. It’s also the third time in the last five years that Indiana has won at least 27 games in a season.

The last time Indiana went to three Sweet Sixteen’s or beyond in a five year period was when the Hoosiers did so in four consecutive seasons from 1991-94.

Bryant played with passion, emotion and a will where it was clear that he wanted the ball in his hands in crunch time. And when it was all over, he let his emotions spill over as yelled in the direction of the IU fans in attendance in Des Moines.

Bryant was asked what he said and he replied, “I told them ‘That’s why I’m here.’’

Earlier in the second half, IU coach Tom Crean had a message for his big freshman center. He told him he wanted Bryant to attack more in the second half.

“The point of emphasis I had was staying on the attack,’’ Bryant said. “Coach told me that he wanted me to attack more, you know, get a quick whip or get a quick bucket down there on the block when I can. He believes in me, and I just went with the coach's plan, you know. Luckily it turned out that way.’’

And then later, after IU saw a nine-point lead evaporate as Kentucky cut that lead to two at 69-67, Bryant was fouled with 10.4 seconds to play and had two foul shots. He had just missed two others in the previous minute but he calmly made both to put the Hoosiers on top 71-67.

Fellow freshman teammate Juwan Morgan said there was no doubt in his mind that Bryant was going to make the two foul shots at the end.

“We made eye contact right there and he looked at me and mouthed, ‘I’ve got this,’’’ Morgan said. “And I knew he did. Thomas is a really good free throw shooter and I had complete confidence in him in that moment.’’

Max Bieleldt said Bryant is mentally tough. Troy Williams said Bryant was a player he was happy to see go to the line in that situation. Collin Hartman said Bryant may only be a freshman but he doesn’t play like that in clutch situations.

“Thomas is a really hard worker,’’ Hartman said. “And he’s a great example of that hard work paying off.’’

Bryant was asked what was going through his mind when he stepped to the free throw line with the game hanging in the balance.

“I was just trying to stay calm, you know, calming down, breathing, and then not letting my adrenaline pump so much to where it was too much for me,’’ Bryant said. “I just wanted to calm down. My teammates were there talking to me. We go through this in practice all the time, so I was just lucky to make 'em.’’

Kentucky coach John Calipari said he spent a lot of time recruiting Bryant. And the thing that has impressed him the most is how much he has improved since he got on campus at Indiana.

“He was right down the street from us and the biggest thing I want to tell you is his family should be proud of how much better he's gotten,’’ Calipari said. “Tom and the staff have gotten a kid that I really liked, I thought was really good. I'm going to be honest, though, I didn't realize he was that good.

“Tom saw something that I'm like, well -- and we spent a lot of time recruiting him and he was on our campus. He made every play and then made those free throws after missing one. You think about a young player like he is making that play. I thought from the beginning of the year until now he got way better in pick and roll defense. But I tell you, early in the year it was a struggle for him. The kid has worked hard. He's deserved everything that's coming his way right now and the staff did a great job with him.’’