Ironically this team would lose in the state tournament to conference opponent, Freeport in the IHSA sectional on March 9, 1960.

[4] During regional and sectional play, Thoren's team defeated all of the competition until the "Elite-Eight" where they lost to eventual champion Collinsville on the evening of March 17, 1961 at Huff Gymnasium in Champaign.

[5] Even though the E-Rabs only played two games in the tournament, Thoren was the ninth leading scorer with 43 points and Rockford East finished with an AP ranking of number 3.

He played in every single game during his three-year career and was the starting center for the final two seasons, replacing Bill Burwell.

The Illini would defeat Bowling Green in the second round to earn a berth in the "Elite Eight", but would lose to eventual national champion Loyola, 79–64 at Jenison Fieldhouse.

Thoren played three seasons (1967–1970) in the American Basketball Association (ABA), as a member of the Minnesota Muskies and Miami Floridians.