Bryant sparks Hoosiers win
By ANDY PROFFET
ISL Correspondent
(Photo by Mike Dickbernd)
BLOOMINGTON—Emotion is a big part of Thomas Bryant’s game.
He’s an 18-year-old freshman, after all, playing on college basketball’s big stage.
And three games into his first season at IU, there’s been no stage fright for the kid.
“I always had that passion in me, ever since I started playing in grade school,” Bryant said after Thursday’s 86-65 win over Creighton in the Gavitt Tipoff. “I had to do something; I wasn’t the most talented player, so I had to do something to separate myself from others. And the passion, the drive, the will to play is just the difference.”
Bryant had 17 points, seven rebounds and four blocks for the Hoosiers (3-0) as the expected test from the Bluejays never materialized.
Bryant even hit a 3-pointer, drawing even more cheers from the crowd.
The energy bleeds over to Bryant’s teammates as well.
“I’m kind of a laid back guy, but when I see him like that, it makes me want to bring more energy to the game,” said James Blackmon Jr. “And guys like that on our team just make it so much better for the fans and also us, we feed off that.”
Creighton coach Greg McDermott said Bryant adds another dimension to the Hoosiers.
“He has the ability to protect the rim, he can make some plays in the paint, and he even hit a three tonight,” McDermott said.
Blackmon led the Hoosiers with 19 points.
Next up for the Hoosiers is a trip to Maui, where they’ll face Wake Forest in the first round of the Maui Invitational.
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