Analysis; How about Thomas Bryant?

[IndyHutch]

Indiana's freshman center is quickly becoming a fan favorite at Assembly Hall. Based on the way he played in the win over Creighton Thursday night, it's easy to see why.

How much fun it is to watch Thomas Bryant develop before our eyes?

 

I think it’s a blast.

 

With every game I see the big man play, I think he gets a little bit more confident.
Thursday night he had 17 points on 7 of 10 shooting from the field in Indiana's convincing 86-65 victory over Creighton. He made a 3-pointer from the right corner. He had a play in the second half where he exhibited great body control when he went up for a shot inside, hung in the air for just a second, and then banked it in softly off the glass.

 

He had four blocked shots and was active on the boards. He had a pair of assists. He made all six of his shots inside the 3-point arc.

 

But you know what I liked the most from him on Thursday night – his emotion.

 

He had a sequence in the second half where he had a block and then there was a scramble for the ball after he tried to block a second shot. The officials called a jump ball and Bryant was clearly happy to have gotten a piece of it.

 

And as his team went to a time out he was clearly engaged in the moment and was really fired up and the fans showed their appreciation with a loud ovation.

 

He had a couple of those ovations Thursday night. He had another time when he came back on the court following a timeout after he had scored a couple of buckets where the fans did the two-syllable “Thom-as Bry-ant” chant. I’ve talked to players over the years who have said there is no bigger rush than to hear your name chanted like that.

 

Bryant seemed completely focused on the defensive end as the fans chanted his name but somewhere in the recesses of his mind you have to figure he heard it.

 

And you know what, he deserved it, too.

 

Bryant is quickly becoming a fan favorite at Assembly Hall and it’s easy to see why.

 

He works hard. He plays with great intensity. He seems to take constructive criticism well and he just has a presence in the middle.

 

And when you think about that’s the biggest improvement here: a presence.

 

Indiana hasn’t had a presence in the middle since Cody Zeller.

 

Hanner Mosquera-Perea wasn’t a presence. Luke Fischer had the chance to be but didn’t stick around long enough for us to find out.

 

But Bryant has that presence and the great thing for Indiana fans is that you just feel like he is just scratching the surface of how he could potentially play as the season progresses.

 

Bryant played 19 minutes in the opener against Eastern Illinois and 21 minutes against Austin Peay. Thursday night, he played 27 minutes.

 

And here’s another great statistic from Thursday night. In 27 minutes, Bryant had one foul and one turnover.

 

If Bryant can continue to improve, play with energy, stay out of foul trouble and be that commanding presence inside for the Hoosiers, it’s simply going to make Indiana’s outside shooters even deadlier than they already are.

 

And this season is going to become very much like Bryant.

 

A lot of fun to watch.

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[IU Bud]

Thomas Bryant is good at basketball.

[IU Hoosier41]

Fan favorite coming soon. Love the tenacity of the big fella. Plays with emotion which is great to see after our last two bigs who were great, but lacked that emotion

[rebelhoosier848891]

Thomas Bryant---two THUMBS--way up!  :good: :good:

[Hovadipo]

When he ran down the court mid-second half and started yelling at the student section behind the basket then at the GA section, the place went nuts. I already love this dude.

[IU Hoosier41]

Love these from Indy Star
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[IU Hoosier41]

When he ran down the court mid-second half and started yelling at the student section behind the basket then at the GA section, the place went nuts. I already love this dude.

Has a DJ White style with the crowd already. That will be FUN.

[Bittersince87]

I think he'll help our d in terms of his talent but also his attitude. I think he's the type to hold others accountable. Very few of those out there.

[MartintheMopMan]

I mean, what else is there to say right?

 

Love him. He is absolutely what this team needed. He brings outrageous size and skill and pairs it with being an absolute hype-man.

 

He is going to bring Assembly Hall down during Big Ten season.

[TheWatShot]

Can we give NBA scouts the Men in Black treatment and make them forget they ever saw him? 

[Miller'sTheMan]

I love what Bryant brings to the table! I don't like that he's looking like a possible one and done though

[Bobman1]

Let's beat Wake Forest, then give TB a great challenge against Damian Jones. I think Big Tom could take him. Man that'll be fun to watch.

[IU Hoosier41]

I love what Bryant brings to the table! I don't like that he's looking like a possible one and done though

If he's a one and done after this season then we are in store for one hell of a year. I'd be just fine with that!

[323SGrant]

It's important to recruit very well every year. Talent is important and TB is a talented player! Good game tonight!

[Old Friend]

And so much more upside.   Pretty impressed with his ability and certainly his future.  Good for him....hope he sticks around another year or two because I think he'd benefit.    A little more consistent range, a little more lateral quickness, a little more work on timing, continued improvement in conditioning, a little more work on his overall strength, a little better understanding of positioning and footwork....and he's a solid NBA 4-5.   Will be fun to watch him develop.   He also seems to understand his environment, which - for me - is terrific to see.   Go on, young man.  

[theronjohn1]

 

Indiana's freshman center is quickly becoming a fan favorite at Assembly Hall. Based on the way he played in the win over Creighton Thursday night, it's easy to see why.

How much fun it is to watch Thomas Bryant develop before our eyes?

 

I think it’s a blast.

 

With every game I see the big man play, I think he gets a little bit more confident.
Thursday night he had 17 points on 7 of 10 shooting from the field in Indiana's convincing 86-65 victory over Creighton. He made a 3-pointer from the right corner. He had a play in the second half where he exhibited great body control when he went up for a shot inside, hung in the air for just a second, and then banked it in softly off the glass.

 

He had four blocked shots and was active on the boards. He had a pair of assists. He made all six of his shots inside the 3-point arc.

 

But you know what I liked the most from him on Thursday night – his emotion.

 

He had a sequence in the second half where he had a block and then there was a scramble for the ball after he tried to block a second shot. The officials called a jump ball and Bryant was clearly happy to have gotten a piece of it.

 

And as his team went to a time out he was clearly engaged in the moment and was really fired up and the fans showed their appreciation with a loud ovation.

 

He had a couple of those ovations Thursday night. He had another time when he came back on the court following a timeout after he had scored a couple of buckets where the fans did the two-syllable “Thom-as Bry-ant” chant. I’ve talked to players over the years who have said there is no bigger rush than to hear your name chanted like that.

 

Bryant seemed completely focused on the defensive end as the fans chanted his name but somewhere in the recesses of his mind you have to figure he heard it.

 

And you know what, he deserved it, too.

 

Bryant is quickly becoming a fan favorite at Assembly Hall and it’s easy to see why.

 

He works hard. He plays with great intensity. He seems to take constructive criticism well and he just has a presence in the middle.

 

And when you think about that’s the biggest improvement here: a presence.

 

Indiana hasn’t had a presence in the middle since Cody Zeller.

 

Hanner Mosquera-Perea wasn’t a presence. Luke Fischer had the chance to be but didn’t stick around long enough for us to find out.

 

But Bryant has that presence and the great thing for Indiana fans is that you just feel like he is just scratching the surface of how he could potentially play as the season progresses.

 

Bryant played 19 minutes in the opener against Eastern Illinois and 21 minutes against Austin Peay. Thursday night, he played 27 minutes.

 

And here’s another great statistic from Thursday night. In 27 minutes, Bryant had one foul and one turnover.

 

If Bryant can continue to improve, play with energy, stay out of foul trouble and be that commanding presence inside for the Hoosiers, it’s simply going to make Indiana’s outside shooters even deadlier than they already are.

 

And this season is going to become very much like Bryant.

 

A lot of fun to watch.

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I think it could be argued that Vonleh was a good post presence, but there wasn't anything surrounding him to make the team look good as a whole.

[JaybobHoosier]

Great job Terry! Like what has been said, we have us a very good and fun big man. I hope he stays two years, because while he is very good, he has a lot to still work on. Choose the Cody Zeller path at least, not the Noah Vonleh.

[WayneFleekHoosier]

If he's a one and done after this season then we are in store for one hell of a year. I'd be just fine with that!

this is not entirely true. Many one and dones stand out on underperforming teams. Vonleh was a perfect example. Same scenario too, meaning he is our only legit post presence, thus a perfect stage to showcase his skills.

[NoahW35]

this is not entirely true. Many one and dones stand out on underperforming teams. Vonleh was a perfect example. Same scenario too, meaning he is our only legit post presence, thus a perfect stage to showcase his skills.

Sure, but I think he meant that of Thomas plays well enough to be a one and done combined with us having Yogi, James, Troy and others that we are going to be really good this year. I would agree

[GloryDays]

 Love to see a big guy,defender helplessly sealed on his hip waving his arms as he pounds palms together screaming for the ball.

Whats even better is a team that's aware and makes a concerted effort to reward him.I saw that tonight for the first time in a long time and props go out to the players and coach for the focus.

 Also a little off topic but I agree with Seth Davis that IU with Williams initiating at the top of the key are really hard to defend.That may have been the most complete game I've seen Troy play.

Very few of the bonehead plays.

 Go Hoosiers ,Beat Wake !!!