CHAMPAIGN — The 16 minutes Mike Thorne Jr. played at Indiana ultimately didn't derail the Illinois center's chances for a medical hardship waiver. The NCAA approved Thorne's sixth year of eligibility on Wednesday.
Thorne played in eight games during the 2015-16 season and averaged 12.9 points and 8.5 rebounds. He tore the meniscus in his left knee on Nov. 28 against Iowa State and after surgery and rehab retured Jan. 19 at Indiana. Thorne had nine points and nine rebounds in the loss to the Hoosiers, suffered a physical setback following that game and was then sidelined the rest of the season.