Indiana University Athletics
Thompson's Determination Making Him a Leader
2/3/2021 3:07:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Race Thompson stood alone, still in full uniform, quietly practicing his free throws.
The Hoosiers had just fallen 75-71 to Illinois at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, and Thompson felt compelled to get in a little extra work. His jersey was untucked, and he showed only determination on his face as shot after shot went up toward the rim.
Thompson first shot at the south goal, then he made his way to the north goal. Then he wandered back again to the south side. Sure, he could have been in nearby Cook Hall, but that's not where they play the games. He needed to get up some extra shots where he plays, mainly because he was haunted by going 6-of-12 from the line in the defeat.
But Thompson's so-so day from the charity stripe didn't overshadow what he had done to help his team put together a solid first half and battle the Fighting Illini for 45 minutes. No, quite the opposite. Nobody else was thinking about the missed free throws. Anybody who watched Thompson vs. Illinois would remember his 18 points, his toughness, his 6-of-9 shooting night vs. some of the strongest post players in the Big Ten. They would remember his eight rebounds, his two assists, two blocks, and three steals.
Race Thompson was one of the Hoosier bright spots vs. Illinois.
But there he was, just minutes after the final buzzer, back on the court working on his free-throw shooting. The 6-of-12 wasn't good enough in his mind. In an overtime game, every missed opportunity looms just a little larger, at least to the player. To the player who comes out on the losing end, especially, it's about what more they could have done to help their team.
To Thompson, it was that 6-of-12.
His teammates didn't quite see it the same way.
"Race played a hell of a game, honestly," sophomore Trayce Jackson-Davis said. "I know wants a few of those free throws back, but he did a great job for us, especially early in the first half when no one could get going. I was struggling, and I thought he really picked us up. He really kept us in the game. So, props to him. He did a really great job."
His head coach didn't see it the same way. In fact, he thought Thompson was a different player than he had been prior to IU's recent stretch of nine days without a game.
"Race is a warrior," Archie Miller said. "He benefited probably the most from the break. Physically, he was really struggling in the last couple of games. He was physical tonight. (He played) 37 minutes, had 18 (points) and eight (rebounds), and he drew nine fouls. He is a leader right now.
"He is developing into a terrific team player, so I am proud of Race and his effort tonight. He is going to have to get back at it pretty quick because we have another one coming up pretty quick, and his recovery is important."
Illinois coach Brad Underwood saw nothing but positives from Thompson as well. He credited both Thompson and Jackson-Davis for rocking the Illini on their heels during the first half.
"They whipped us," Underwood said.
Thompson's 18 points were a season high in conference play, and the game marked the fourth time in his last five outings that Thompson has scored in double digits. He has been one of IU's most consistent players this season.
For some players, that would be enough. For Thompson, it isn't about what he did. It's what more he could have done.
Which is why he was back on the floor after the game, firing up free throws. His teammate, freshman Khristian Lander, joined Thompson for a while, but Lander eventually went back to the locker room. Thompson stayed on the floor, calmly getting up shots with the help of a patient manager. It was after midnight thanks to the 9 p.m. ET tipoff and overtime session, but Thompson wasn't ready to turn in.
He came into the Illinois game shooting 61.9 percent from the free-throw line, a number he hoped to improve. By the time the final buzzer sounded, that number had dropped to 60.0 percent. Again, some players would say they had done all they could to help their team. Thompson felt like he could have done more.
So back to the court he headed.
There was work to be done.
The Hoosiers had just fallen 75-71 to Illinois at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, and Thompson felt compelled to get in a little extra work. His jersey was untucked, and he showed only determination on his face as shot after shot went up toward the rim.
Thompson first shot at the south goal, then he made his way to the north goal. Then he wandered back again to the south side. Sure, he could have been in nearby Cook Hall, but that's not where they play the games. He needed to get up some extra shots where he plays, mainly because he was haunted by going 6-of-12 from the line in the defeat.
But Thompson's so-so day from the charity stripe didn't overshadow what he had done to help his team put together a solid first half and battle the Fighting Illini for 45 minutes. No, quite the opposite. Nobody else was thinking about the missed free throws. Anybody who watched Thompson vs. Illinois would remember his 18 points, his toughness, his 6-of-9 shooting night vs. some of the strongest post players in the Big Ten. They would remember his eight rebounds, his two assists, two blocks, and three steals.
Race Thompson was one of the Hoosier bright spots vs. Illinois.
But there he was, just minutes after the final buzzer, back on the court working on his free-throw shooting. The 6-of-12 wasn't good enough in his mind. In an overtime game, every missed opportunity looms just a little larger, at least to the player. To the player who comes out on the losing end, especially, it's about what more they could have done to help their team.
To Thompson, it was that 6-of-12.
His teammates didn't quite see it the same way.
"Race played a hell of a game, honestly," sophomore Trayce Jackson-Davis said. "I know wants a few of those free throws back, but he did a great job for us, especially early in the first half when no one could get going. I was struggling, and I thought he really picked us up. He really kept us in the game. So, props to him. He did a really great job."
His head coach didn't see it the same way. In fact, he thought Thompson was a different player than he had been prior to IU's recent stretch of nine days without a game.
"Race is a warrior," Archie Miller said. "He benefited probably the most from the break. Physically, he was really struggling in the last couple of games. He was physical tonight. (He played) 37 minutes, had 18 (points) and eight (rebounds), and he drew nine fouls. He is a leader right now.
"He is developing into a terrific team player, so I am proud of Race and his effort tonight. He is going to have to get back at it pretty quick because we have another one coming up pretty quick, and his recovery is important."
Illinois coach Brad Underwood saw nothing but positives from Thompson as well. He credited both Thompson and Jackson-Davis for rocking the Illini on their heels during the first half.
"They whipped us," Underwood said.
Thompson's 18 points were a season high in conference play, and the game marked the fourth time in his last five outings that Thompson has scored in double digits. He has been one of IU's most consistent players this season.
For some players, that would be enough. For Thompson, it isn't about what he did. It's what more he could have done.
Which is why he was back on the floor after the game, firing up free throws. His teammate, freshman Khristian Lander, joined Thompson for a while, but Lander eventually went back to the locker room. Thompson stayed on the floor, calmly getting up shots with the help of a patient manager. It was after midnight thanks to the 9 p.m. ET tipoff and overtime session, but Thompson wasn't ready to turn in.
He came into the Illinois game shooting 61.9 percent from the free-throw line, a number he hoped to improve. By the time the final buzzer sounded, that number had dropped to 60.0 percent. Again, some players would say they had done all they could to help their team. Thompson felt like he could have done more.
So back to the court he headed.
There was work to be done.
Players Mentioned
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