Indiana University Athletics
Previewing Thursday's Game Against Purdue
1/13/2021 1:07:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana Head Coach Archie and sophomore Trayce Jackson-Davis met with the media on Wednesday to preview tomorrow's game against Purdue. Below are videos and a transcript from the availability.
Indiana Sophomore Trayce Jackson-Davis
Indiana Head Coach Archie Miller
Opening Statement
Coming off a long week last week playing three games in seven days. We have a lot of wear and tear on our bodies. We are trying to get recovered and get ready to play a really good Purdue team tomorrow night. From this point forward, we don't have a ton of breaks as you look forward. We are trying to get fresh, get ready and at the end of the day play against a really good Purdue team on Thursday night has been our focus.
On the status of transfer Parker Stewart…
He is on campus and he has just started to get integrated with our group. His arrival was one of which he had to go through a quarantine situation and he couldn't really be around a lot until he was through that. Once he is through that he is now in our testing program and he can start to get a little more acclimated. He has a lot of work to do just in terms of getting acclimated with the team, with the doctors, COVID protocols, physical exam, so he is not anywhere near joining us for practice for anything like that. He is now a full go in terms of being part of what we are doing. Each day that goes by hopefully we can get him a little smoother in terms of his transition. The hope would be that sometime next week or the week after he can start to work with us on the practice floor and see where we are at with that. As of now there is no real plan to be able to integrate him any which way possible just with the circumstances surrounding his arrival, medical, doctors, everything that a normal guy that transfers in at the break has to go through.
On if he thinks it will be a grind-it-out defensive game…
I think both teams try their best to have a defensive mentality. Purdue is a very physical team. They are getting better as the season continues to progress because of their depth. They are playing a lot of different guys and as the conference slate has really gotten underway you can see their physicality coming back. They're trapping of the post, they are creating more problems, they are playing a lot of different combination of players, so as the season goes I think they are going to continue to get better defensively. For us, we have hung our hat on that. I don't think we are playing as well defensively as we once were earlier in the year. We have also been playing a lot of different combinations of players here recently. Our depth inside has been a challenge. I do think both teams are coming into the game knowing that has to be a part of the plan. From an offensive standpoint Purdue is an execution type of team. They are a team that really thrives playing inside out. They establish their front court players as well as any team in the country. Their perimeter guys do an unbelievable job of feeding the post, but also playing off it. Their transitions within their actions, they are shooting the ball a lot better. (Sasha) Stefanovic is a terrific shooter. I think Brandon Newman has really added the 3-point element. Jaden Ivey is a scorer from the perimeter as well. (Isaiah) Thompson continues to be a guy that gives them a boost in certain games behind the line. They have a lot of different combinations of players. I think they are really good offensively. I think it starts with them in the post as everyone can probably imagine with Trevion (Williams), then (Zach) Edey coming in the game. Their perimeter guys as they get going and as the shoot, they are a very difficult cover because of their execution. For us we are going to try to get into transition as much as we can and be spontaneous. We have to do an unbelievable job of taking care of the ball. One of the reasons we weren't successful here lately is handling post traps and being able to offensively play, execute and be able to get a quality shot when they are taking things away of our normal look. The big thing for us is to take care of the ball at all costs. I think that is a big thing. We are going to have to keep them off the boards as much as anything. I think they are one of the best rebounding teams in the country. From our standpoint of how the game is going to go both teams pride themselves defensively. I think Purdue is a great team on both ends of the floor and they are getting better.
On Armaan Franklin's progress and how strange the night with be without fans for the IU Purdue rivalry in an empty building…
Well, first Armaan is not at 100% clearly, he has missed three games if you take him out of the Maryland game. He has not been a part of three games in a row. He is continuing to do as much as he possibly can. He is about nine to ten days away from his sprain. It is a legitimate sprain that has really limited him. He did a little shooting yesterday. He did a little running and moving more so than he did a week ago. We are basically going to have to base game time decision on how he feels. If he can't go, he can't go. He is definitely not a 100%. We are focusing on how to get him back as fast as we can, but at the same time be able to be effective.
Definitely playing without fans, I think every coach will agree that for a home game especially in our conference with the crowds that we all have, is a huge disadvantage at home. Sometimes it plays against you. Like in this game right here, especially the Purdue game. Those that have been here before know the environment in both facilities, especially our facility, that playing at home is different. When teams go on runs, you don't have that support behind you. You go on a run, and you don't have that momentum behind you. It is something you are getting used to at this point in time. We haven't had a ton of home games, but it is definitely different. I think it will be awfully disappointing not having fans when we play this type of game that means a lot in terms of the energy level that's surrounding it. So, we are getting used to it. I definitely think it is a little bit different, but in this type of game I think both teams are focused in on themselves and you have to be ready to roll. And this is one where your intensity level and your concentration through the ups and downs whether you are on the road or at home will feel the same when the ball is tipped up.
On how much he emphasizes the ability to finish through contact for a guard like Rob Phinisee or Aljami Durham with the big bodies in the paint…
Well, Purdue does a great job at defending the two. When you look at their numbers and where they are at, they are one of the best teams in the country. Basically, not giving up two-point baskets. Part of it is that they are constantly post doubling. The other thing is they have great physicality and size. Everything around the rim is challenged and, in the paint, to be quite honestly with you, that is very, very hard. It makes them tough to deal with. But it's a game where you have to make plays. I think being able to play off the doubles, being able to attack the paint you got to be smart. But at the same time, the game comes down to being able to make some open shots. It really does. For our team, it continues to be about controlling what you can control and when guys are open, they have to be able to step in and do a good job at being ready to shoot it or ready to attack it. Without question, the paint is as tough as its going to get in a game where you are playing against those guys.
On what he enjoys the most about coaching Trayce Jackson-Davis…
Trayce is an easy guy to coach because he is such a great teammate and a great kid. There are very few days where he is moody. There is very few days where he doesn't come in and absorb what you are trying to do from a plan perspective. He is like every other young guy who goes through the ups and downs of the season. But he doesn't let it bother him very much. He is not a guy where you are constantly trying to coach every day, to applaud him along to do that. He has a great heart. When he is motivated, his head and his heart are aligned. I have always told him this. He is special. He is doing an unbelievable job for us under some circumstances where he is having to handle a load that is unexpected and at the same time very difficult. He leads the Big Ten in minutes as a front court player which is unheard of. We are giving some up with him being out on the floor for that amount of time, and he is probably losing some burst and some explosiveness from games. But at the same time, he handles it. He takes the load on his back. He comes in everyday and works. He is a great teammate most importantly in anything, when your best guy has that type of vibe about them, he brings people with him. He knows what he means to us. From a coaching standpoint, you are coaching a kid with a great heart. You are coaching a kid with great intentions, who wants to do well and do what you ask him to do. From my standpoint, I can't really ask much more form him.
Indiana Sophomore Trayce Jackson-Davis
Indiana Head Coach Archie Miller
Opening Statement
Coming off a long week last week playing three games in seven days. We have a lot of wear and tear on our bodies. We are trying to get recovered and get ready to play a really good Purdue team tomorrow night. From this point forward, we don't have a ton of breaks as you look forward. We are trying to get fresh, get ready and at the end of the day play against a really good Purdue team on Thursday night has been our focus.
On the status of transfer Parker Stewart…
He is on campus and he has just started to get integrated with our group. His arrival was one of which he had to go through a quarantine situation and he couldn't really be around a lot until he was through that. Once he is through that he is now in our testing program and he can start to get a little more acclimated. He has a lot of work to do just in terms of getting acclimated with the team, with the doctors, COVID protocols, physical exam, so he is not anywhere near joining us for practice for anything like that. He is now a full go in terms of being part of what we are doing. Each day that goes by hopefully we can get him a little smoother in terms of his transition. The hope would be that sometime next week or the week after he can start to work with us on the practice floor and see where we are at with that. As of now there is no real plan to be able to integrate him any which way possible just with the circumstances surrounding his arrival, medical, doctors, everything that a normal guy that transfers in at the break has to go through.
On if he thinks it will be a grind-it-out defensive game…
I think both teams try their best to have a defensive mentality. Purdue is a very physical team. They are getting better as the season continues to progress because of their depth. They are playing a lot of different guys and as the conference slate has really gotten underway you can see their physicality coming back. They're trapping of the post, they are creating more problems, they are playing a lot of different combination of players, so as the season goes I think they are going to continue to get better defensively. For us, we have hung our hat on that. I don't think we are playing as well defensively as we once were earlier in the year. We have also been playing a lot of different combinations of players here recently. Our depth inside has been a challenge. I do think both teams are coming into the game knowing that has to be a part of the plan. From an offensive standpoint Purdue is an execution type of team. They are a team that really thrives playing inside out. They establish their front court players as well as any team in the country. Their perimeter guys do an unbelievable job of feeding the post, but also playing off it. Their transitions within their actions, they are shooting the ball a lot better. (Sasha) Stefanovic is a terrific shooter. I think Brandon Newman has really added the 3-point element. Jaden Ivey is a scorer from the perimeter as well. (Isaiah) Thompson continues to be a guy that gives them a boost in certain games behind the line. They have a lot of different combinations of players. I think they are really good offensively. I think it starts with them in the post as everyone can probably imagine with Trevion (Williams), then (Zach) Edey coming in the game. Their perimeter guys as they get going and as the shoot, they are a very difficult cover because of their execution. For us we are going to try to get into transition as much as we can and be spontaneous. We have to do an unbelievable job of taking care of the ball. One of the reasons we weren't successful here lately is handling post traps and being able to offensively play, execute and be able to get a quality shot when they are taking things away of our normal look. The big thing for us is to take care of the ball at all costs. I think that is a big thing. We are going to have to keep them off the boards as much as anything. I think they are one of the best rebounding teams in the country. From our standpoint of how the game is going to go both teams pride themselves defensively. I think Purdue is a great team on both ends of the floor and they are getting better.
On Armaan Franklin's progress and how strange the night with be without fans for the IU Purdue rivalry in an empty building…
Well, first Armaan is not at 100% clearly, he has missed three games if you take him out of the Maryland game. He has not been a part of three games in a row. He is continuing to do as much as he possibly can. He is about nine to ten days away from his sprain. It is a legitimate sprain that has really limited him. He did a little shooting yesterday. He did a little running and moving more so than he did a week ago. We are basically going to have to base game time decision on how he feels. If he can't go, he can't go. He is definitely not a 100%. We are focusing on how to get him back as fast as we can, but at the same time be able to be effective.
Definitely playing without fans, I think every coach will agree that for a home game especially in our conference with the crowds that we all have, is a huge disadvantage at home. Sometimes it plays against you. Like in this game right here, especially the Purdue game. Those that have been here before know the environment in both facilities, especially our facility, that playing at home is different. When teams go on runs, you don't have that support behind you. You go on a run, and you don't have that momentum behind you. It is something you are getting used to at this point in time. We haven't had a ton of home games, but it is definitely different. I think it will be awfully disappointing not having fans when we play this type of game that means a lot in terms of the energy level that's surrounding it. So, we are getting used to it. I definitely think it is a little bit different, but in this type of game I think both teams are focused in on themselves and you have to be ready to roll. And this is one where your intensity level and your concentration through the ups and downs whether you are on the road or at home will feel the same when the ball is tipped up.
On how much he emphasizes the ability to finish through contact for a guard like Rob Phinisee or Aljami Durham with the big bodies in the paint…
Well, Purdue does a great job at defending the two. When you look at their numbers and where they are at, they are one of the best teams in the country. Basically, not giving up two-point baskets. Part of it is that they are constantly post doubling. The other thing is they have great physicality and size. Everything around the rim is challenged and, in the paint, to be quite honestly with you, that is very, very hard. It makes them tough to deal with. But it's a game where you have to make plays. I think being able to play off the doubles, being able to attack the paint you got to be smart. But at the same time, the game comes down to being able to make some open shots. It really does. For our team, it continues to be about controlling what you can control and when guys are open, they have to be able to step in and do a good job at being ready to shoot it or ready to attack it. Without question, the paint is as tough as its going to get in a game where you are playing against those guys.
On what he enjoys the most about coaching Trayce Jackson-Davis…
Trayce is an easy guy to coach because he is such a great teammate and a great kid. There are very few days where he is moody. There is very few days where he doesn't come in and absorb what you are trying to do from a plan perspective. He is like every other young guy who goes through the ups and downs of the season. But he doesn't let it bother him very much. He is not a guy where you are constantly trying to coach every day, to applaud him along to do that. He has a great heart. When he is motivated, his head and his heart are aligned. I have always told him this. He is special. He is doing an unbelievable job for us under some circumstances where he is having to handle a load that is unexpected and at the same time very difficult. He leads the Big Ten in minutes as a front court player which is unheard of. We are giving some up with him being out on the floor for that amount of time, and he is probably losing some burst and some explosiveness from games. But at the same time, he handles it. He takes the load on his back. He comes in everyday and works. He is a great teammate most importantly in anything, when your best guy has that type of vibe about them, he brings people with him. He knows what he means to us. From a coaching standpoint, you are coaching a kid with a great heart. You are coaching a kid with great intentions, who wants to do well and do what you ask him to do. From my standpoint, I can't really ask much more form him.
Players Mentioned
Guard
/ Men's Basketball
Guard
/ Men's Basketball
Forward
/ Men's Basketball
Guard
/ Men's Basketball
Guard
/ Men's BasketballIUBB Postgame Press Conference
Wednesday, November 05
Darian DeVries Postgame Press Conference
Wednesday, November 05
MBB: Postgame Press Conference - Alabama A&M (11/5/25)
Wednesday, November 05
IUBB v AAMU Highlights
Wednesday, November 05