DAYTON, Ohio – Race Thompson smiled.
He had walked up behind his friend and wrapped him in a bear hug, smiling, then leaning his chin on his friend’s shoulder. It was just after Indiana had made an improbable 17-point second-half comeback against Michigan in the Big Ten tournament. Indiana’s NCAA tournament hopes were still alive.
Thompson just wanted to show appreciation to his friend Trayce Jackson-Davis.
“I gave him that hug because me personally I didn’t have my best game that game,” Thompson said Monday. “…Trayce had a great second half…. I didn’t play much in the second half.