Minnesotans to watch in the NCAA men's tournament

Indiana's Race Thompson and Iowa State's Gabe Kalscheur are among those from Minnesota heading to the Big Dance.

March 14, 2023 at 1:17AM
Forward Race Thompson, who played high school ball at Armstrong, averages 7.9 points and 5.1 rebounds for Indiana. (Doug McSchooler, Associated Press/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Minnesotans to watch in the NCAA men's tournament

Calvin Wishart, senior, UC Santa Barbara (Delano)

The 6-2 guard spent his first two years at Georgia Southern, but averaged 7.3 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.9 assists and shot 38% from three-point range this season.

Ryan Larson, senior, College of Charleston (Cretin-Derham Hall)

The Wofford transfer won MVP of the Colonial Athletic Association tournament championship with 23 points. Earned third team all-conference honors with 10.6 points and 4.1 assists per game.

Tre Holloman, freshman, Michigan State (Cretin-Derham Hall)

The state of Minnesota's No. 1 senior in the Class of 2022 has a reserve role for Tom Izzo, but he played at least 10 minutes 12 times this season.

Gabe Kalscheur, senior, Iowa State (DeLaSalle)

Former Gophers guard helped the Cyclones reach the Sweet 16 last season and earned All-Big 12 second-team honors this season, averaging 12.9 points.

Race Thompson, senior, Indiana (Armstrong)

Thompson joined with All-America Trayce Jackson-Davis to make for one of the Big Ten's top frontcourts. The 6-8 forward averages 7.9 points and 5.1 rebounds.

Dain Dainja, sophomore, Illinois (Park Center)

After transferring from Baylor, the 6-9, 270-pound Dainja gave the Illini an inside presence this season to replace Kofi Cockburn. He averages 9.7 points and 5.5 rebounds.

Others: Camden Heide, freshman, Purdue (Wayzata); Robert Jones, senior, Iowa State (Prior Lake); Eli King, freshman, Iowa State (Caledonia); Demarion Watson, freshman, Iowa State (Totino-Grace), D.J. Jefferson, freshman, Tennessee (Minnesota Prep Academy).

about the writer

about the writer

Marcus Fuller

Reporter

Marcus Fuller covers Gophers men's basketball, national college basketball, college sports and high school recruiting for the Minnesota Star Tribune.

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