Figure Thomas To Be a Hoosier Soon

So it looks like junior college forward DeAndre Thomas –- all 6-8 and 270 pounds of him -– will be a Hoosier starting next Wednesday. That’s when he can sign a national letter of intent had he figures to now that a scholarship has become available.

Freshman forward Xavier Keeling is set to transfer, which is not surprising considering much of the postseason speculation suggested as much (also on Joey Shaw, but nothing definitive on him yet). Keeling averaged 1.8 points and 8.2 minutes this past season.

It’s uncertain where he could end up, but he was recruited by Mike Davis, who is now the coach at Alabama-Birmingham.

Thomas will provide size and strength inside, attributes coach Kelvin Sampson likes in his inside players. Thomas averaged 15.2 points and 5.7 rebounds for Chipola College in Florida this past season. He’s the teammate of another incoming IU recruit, Jamarcus Ellis.

Thomas should ensure the Hoosiers have the inside muscle to complement their outside firepower. Other than D.J. White, they lacked that kind of balance last season.