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Indiana’s Thomas Bryant posterizes Butler defender (video)

By Tyler Brooke

Nov 30, 2016; Bloomington, IN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers center Thomas Bryant (31) reacts after scoring against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Assembly Hall. Indiana defeats North Carolina 76-67. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2016; Bloomington, IN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers center Thomas Bryant (31) reacts after scoring against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Assembly Hall. Indiana defeats North Carolina 76-67. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Indiana Hoosiers big man Thomas Bryant showed off his strength with a thunderous dunk through contact on Saturday against Butler.

The back end of the Crossroads Classic on Saturday featured a matchup between two top-25 teams in the Indiana Hoosiers and Butler Bulldogs. Hoosier big man Thomas Bryant came ready to play.

Early in the first half against the Bulldogs, the Hoosiers were trailing 10-7 and trying to get some energy. Bryant was fortunately able to come along and provide a spark. A nice pass from teammate Josh Newkirk gave Bryant an opening and he took advantage by hammering down a nice slam dunk.

Not only that, but Bryant was able to throw down the dunk through contact over a Butler defender, drawing the foul and later converting the and-one. You can check out the impressive dunk from the Hoosiers sophomore center in the video below.

Bryant was able to pick up eight early points in the first half, and he’s been off to a great start this season. Heading into Saturday, Bryant was averaging 11.9 points and 8.4 rebounds per game while shooting 50 percent from the floor.

It has been a strange start to the season for the Hoosiers, beating top-ranked teams in Kansas and North Carolina while falling to IPFW. Still, the Hoosiers are 8-1 and ranked No. 9 in the nation hoping that a win over the No. 18 Bulldogs will help them continue to climb the polls once again.

As for Bryant, big plays like this are why he’s generating plenty of noise as a potential NBA draft prospect.