Thompson changes roles, and WU rolls

Streaks like Aaron Thompson's recent 3-point spree at Washington University don't happen by accident. Thompson made good on a school-record 11 consecutive 3-point attempts during victories over Fontbonne, Coe and Webster. If that sounds like the kind of thing only a serious gym rat could pull off, well, it probably is.

Thompson was a serious gym rat growing up in Elida, Ohio. The son of a high school coach, he often would grab the keys to the gym, set up the catch-and-shoot machine under the basket and launch shot after shot.

"I could get off 1,000 to 1,500 shots in an hour or an hour and a half," he said. "I did that three times a week in the summer. I played almost every day. I was always there."

Thompson, a sophomore guard, is in his second year as a starter for Washington U., which plays host to the University of Chicago today in its University Athletic Association opener. He's making just under 48 percent of his 3s, and his marksmanship has only improved as the season has gone on. In the team's past three games, he was 13 of 16 from 3-point range, finishing with 18 points Monday in a 74-60 victory over Webster.

That's just what Bears coach Mark Edwards was hoping to see when he recruited the all-Ohio prospect out of Elida High.

"One of the things that attracted us to him as a senior was his ability to shoot the 3," Edwards said. "The fact that he hit 11 in a row is a testament not only to his shooting ability but to the fact that he takes good shots. He's selective. When he's hitting, he's not going to suddenly start taking bad shots. He's a coach's son, so he was raised with the game of basketball. He understands it."

The seventh-ranked Bears (9-2) have needed Thompson's passing as much as his scoring. Preseason All-American Sean Wallis suffered a broken leg in November, leaving the team shorthanded at point guard. Senior Danny O'Boyle filled the position initially, but Thompson felt more comfortable against the presses the Bears were facing and moved over from the two-guard spot. It was no small transition.

"Sean was next to irreplaceable for our offense to work," Thompson said. "I've had to go back and learn all the plays and what I'm looking for each play. It's been a big adjustment, but it's coming along."

Thompson leads the team with 38 assists. He had 10 assists against Webster, even though he was temporarily back at the two-guard spot in place of O'Boyle, who was sick with the flu.

Thanks in large part to the sophomore's steady hand, the Bears are taking a seven-game winning streak into their UAA opener and are still dreaming of the Final Four. Said Thompson, "Our expectations are definitely still to get to the national championship level. We're working to get there, but it's definitely a work in progress."

. . .

GRAPHIC: PHOTO - Aaron Thompson and Washington University take a seven-game winning streak into today's UAA opener. (Washington University)

Copyright 2008 St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Inc. All Rights Reserved

LOAD-DATE: January 12, 2008

•	Thompson changes roles, and WU rolls St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Saturday, Jan. 12, 2008 Byline: Matt Herb, SPECIAL TO THE POST-DISPATCH