Not Messing Around -- Jackson-Davis’ Returns with Championship Expectations
5/24/2022 10:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Trayce Jackson-Davis didn't come back for a final college basketball season to mess around.
Let's be clear about that.
Indiana's senior forward passed up NBA opportunity to win in the candy stripes as never before, to do his best, to have the Hoosiers do their best, and it starts by doing the right things all the time.
No poor choices.
No weak-minded play.
Full-throttle effort and commitment.
Oh. One other thing.
Make shots.
Welcome to Truth-Can-You-Handle-The-Truth Hoosier honesty that could jump start a championship.
Jackson-Davis -- a passionate, dedicated, driven player who reflects the best of Cream 'n Crimson athletic tradition -- expects teammates and coaches to match that because he knows the potential.
IU rates with Michigan as Big Ten title favorites next season.
"I think the ceiling for our team is anywhere from Big Ten championship to national championship," he says during Monday's media session. "I set my standards high. We had those standards last year, but obviously it wasn't the way our season went."
IU finished 21-14 last season, made the NCAA tourney for the first time since 2016 and won a NCAA tourney game for the first time since that same season.
It was a good start, but far from Coach Mike Woodson's visions for the program.
Having an All-America player back, as Jackson-Davis is, is huge.
Some elite players -- enraptured by one-and-done dreams -- see failure in four-year college careers, but that so often is fool's gold. This former Indiana Mr. Basketball out of Center Grove High School, finding wisdom from the NBA draft process, sees the big picture.
He says Woodson was "surprised" when he told him he was returning.
"He was ecstatic. He was ready to go. He was really pumped. He's probably still smiling."
There's plenty of reason to smile with a guy who averaged 18.3 points and 8.1 rebounds while totaling 81 blocks. He's the nation's third-leading returning scorer.
Jackson-Davis is a potential Big Ten MVP, a 6-9 double-double threat (he has 32 for his career) who was a postseason beast in March, when he averaged 25.3 points and 8.3 rebounds in three Big Ten tourney games.
He led IU to the conference tourney semifinals for the first time since 2013, upsetting Michigan and top-seeded Illinois along the way.
The Hoosiers return seven other key contributors -- Race Thompson (11.1 points, 7.5 rebounds), Xavier Johnson (12.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 172 assists), Miller Kopp (6.0 points, 39 three-pointers), Trey Galloway (5.5 points), Jordan Geronimo (4.4 points, 3.6 rebounds), Tamar Bates (3.9 points) and Anthony Leal (1.9 points).
This experience is crucial for postseason success.
"I think now knowing the guys and what they do, their tendencies and what they're capable of, is going to be huge for us," Jackson-Davis says.
So is having Woodson back for his second college season after a generation of coaching in the NBA.
"Coach Woodson said from the beginning it was going to be a family," Jackson-Davis says. "All the players took that to heart. We all hold each other accountable. We pick up guys. He's the same way.
"He's a great coach. He does things the right way.
"I asked around. (NBA player) Carmelo Anthony told me (Woodson) was his favorite coach he ever played for. I can see why.
"The head of the snake is the guy you want. That's Coach Woodson."
Woodson also brings in one of the nation's best newcomer groups with forwards Malik Reneau and Kaleb Banks, and guards Jalen Hood-Schifino and C.J. Gunn. This class rates as high as No. 5 nationally, IU's best since a No. 4 showing in 2013.
"This is the best team I've been on here," Jackson-Davis says. "We have talent across the board from guards to centers. We have dudes who care about the program, who are here for the right things."
Coaching creed says the best teams are player led, and you can bet Jackson-Davis plans to lead, that Woodson wants him to lead, and that includes providing this insight for a defense-first program:
Focus on offense.
"Intensity-wise, we have a great team," Jackson-Davis says. "I think everyone worked as hard as possible.
"Just the things we were working on -- we ran a lot last year with more emphasis on defense. Having more emphasis on the offensive game plan because our defense is going to carry over from last year. We've got to speed some of the younger guys up.
"The biggest thing for us would probably be offensively more sets, stuff of that nature. Just trying to get meshed together more, play with different guys.
"Last year we had two teams, so it was like the starting five and the bench. We would play against each other. We would never switch up the teams. That's where the starting five and the bench players would play together. I think that's huge for us to just get our team chemistry better."
It's no secret that the Hoosiers' Achilles heel has been shooting -- from three-point range and the line.
To win championships, and that's exactly why Jackson-Davis returned, IU has to be dramatically better in those areas.
That includes Jackson-Davis, who works to develop an effective perimeter game to complement his dominating post play. That's vital for next year's Hoosiers, and for his pro aspirations.
Jackson-Davis says the plan is for him to take four to five jump shots a game, along with 10 to 12 shots near the rim.
"I'm not going to forget about (his low-block play), but the biggest thing is adding a few jump shots."
As far as his NBA aspirations, coaches and general managers told him he'd likely be drafted in the second round, which meant no guaranteed contract.
Add that and COVID -- he showed no symptoms, but positive tests limited his work outs and cost him fitness and sharpness -- and he decided to postpone turning pro to next season.
"I want IU to be as good as possible. I think I elevate the team a lot – me playing away from the basket, more pick and rolls, using what I got from the NBA draft process."
Jackson-Davis trained in Los Angeles this spring. He had guard drills -- ball handling, shooting, reading movements off the dribble, catching and shooting, all from the perimeter.
"They were all components that will help me in the future."
Components include "looking to shoot" when he catches the ball.
"I would always wait and see what to do instead of just letting it go.
"When I'm in rhythm and shooting without hesitation, shooting with confidence, it's a totally different-looking shot."
Jackson-Davis was set to go to last week's NBA Combine in Chicago. The plan was to boost his prospects by showing he could handle big guys and still guard the perimeter.
Then COVID hit.
"I didn't get a chance to do that."
He was never seriously ill, or sick at all.
"I tested negative on Monday. I was going to fly out Tuesday. I took another test Tuesday morning and that one came back positive. Then I tested positive on Wednesday.
"At that point, I wasn't in game shape. I was at home not able to work out. I wasn't ready to play. There wasn't any point in me going."
If he stays healthy and productive next season, Jackson-Davis will finish among IU's greatest with potentially 2,000-points, 1,000 rebounds and 200 blocked shots.
In 122 years of basketball, no Hoosier has ever done that.
In three seasons, Jackson-Davis has 1,565 points, 797 rebounds and 178 blocks.
Only five Hoosiers have scored 2,000 or more points -- Calbert Cheaney (his 2,613 are the Big Ten record), Steve Alford (2,438), Don Schlundt (2,192), A.J. Guyton (2,100) and Woodson (2,061).
Only three Hoosiers have surpassed 1,000 rebounds – Alan Henderson (1,091), Walt Bellamy (1,087) and Kent Benson (1,031).
Jeff Newton has the school record for blocks (227)
Jackson-Davis says he's not driven by numbers, that he'd "rather get the championship."
"I'm an unselfish player. I'm a team player. I'm going to do what my coach wants me to do.
"I'm more set on winning the Big Ten than trying to chase records."
Still, joining the ranks of Cream 'n Crimson superstars such as Cheaney, Alford, Henderson and Woodson has its allure.
"Just being mentioned in that category, with how good those players are, that's huge."
Ultimately, however, numbers only take you so far. Championships define the greatest players. Jackson-Davis knows that.
"The biggest thing for me is being a player that works super hard on and off the court, set the examples, set standards high.
"It's been hard for us because we haven't had a lot of success in the winning column, but I feel like now with this team it's going to be huge for us. We finally have talent, and there's actual expectations for what we can do. Just trying to get one championship under my belt, whether it be Big Ten or national. Obviously, I would want national more, but starting with the Big Ten.
"It would be huge because I feel like we're a top three team right now. I love having expectations and having pressure with that situation because we've never had it in the past."
IU's strong finish -- when it reached the Big Ten tourney semifinals and then beat Wyoming in its NCAA tourney opener -- showed the Hoosiers how special big-time winning can be.
"When you're playing well," Jackson-Davis says, "the whole state is behind you. Everyone gets excited. When Indiana basketball is good, college basketball is good.
"We have a chance to be really, really good next season."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Trayce Jackson-Davis didn't come back for a final college basketball season to mess around.
Let's be clear about that.
Indiana's senior forward passed up NBA opportunity to win in the candy stripes as never before, to do his best, to have the Hoosiers do their best, and it starts by doing the right things all the time.
No poor choices.
No weak-minded play.
Full-throttle effort and commitment.
Oh. One other thing.
Make shots.
Welcome to Truth-Can-You-Handle-The-Truth Hoosier honesty that could jump start a championship.
Jackson-Davis -- a passionate, dedicated, driven player who reflects the best of Cream 'n Crimson athletic tradition -- expects teammates and coaches to match that because he knows the potential.
IU rates with Michigan as Big Ten title favorites next season.
"I think the ceiling for our team is anywhere from Big Ten championship to national championship," he says during Monday's media session. "I set my standards high. We had those standards last year, but obviously it wasn't the way our season went."
IU finished 21-14 last season, made the NCAA tourney for the first time since 2016 and won a NCAA tourney game for the first time since that same season.
It was a good start, but far from Coach Mike Woodson's visions for the program.
Having an All-America player back, as Jackson-Davis is, is huge.
Some elite players -- enraptured by one-and-done dreams -- see failure in four-year college careers, but that so often is fool's gold. This former Indiana Mr. Basketball out of Center Grove High School, finding wisdom from the NBA draft process, sees the big picture.
He says Woodson was "surprised" when he told him he was returning.
"He was ecstatic. He was ready to go. He was really pumped. He's probably still smiling."
There's plenty of reason to smile with a guy who averaged 18.3 points and 8.1 rebounds while totaling 81 blocks. He's the nation's third-leading returning scorer.
Jackson-Davis is a potential Big Ten MVP, a 6-9 double-double threat (he has 32 for his career) who was a postseason beast in March, when he averaged 25.3 points and 8.3 rebounds in three Big Ten tourney games.
He led IU to the conference tourney semifinals for the first time since 2013, upsetting Michigan and top-seeded Illinois along the way.
The Hoosiers return seven other key contributors -- Race Thompson (11.1 points, 7.5 rebounds), Xavier Johnson (12.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 172 assists), Miller Kopp (6.0 points, 39 three-pointers), Trey Galloway (5.5 points), Jordan Geronimo (4.4 points, 3.6 rebounds), Tamar Bates (3.9 points) and Anthony Leal (1.9 points).
This experience is crucial for postseason success.
"I think now knowing the guys and what they do, their tendencies and what they're capable of, is going to be huge for us," Jackson-Davis says.
So is having Woodson back for his second college season after a generation of coaching in the NBA.
"Coach Woodson said from the beginning it was going to be a family," Jackson-Davis says. "All the players took that to heart. We all hold each other accountable. We pick up guys. He's the same way.
"He's a great coach. He does things the right way.
"I asked around. (NBA player) Carmelo Anthony told me (Woodson) was his favorite coach he ever played for. I can see why.
"The head of the snake is the guy you want. That's Coach Woodson."
Woodson also brings in one of the nation's best newcomer groups with forwards Malik Reneau and Kaleb Banks, and guards Jalen Hood-Schifino and C.J. Gunn. This class rates as high as No. 5 nationally, IU's best since a No. 4 showing in 2013.
"This is the best team I've been on here," Jackson-Davis says. "We have talent across the board from guards to centers. We have dudes who care about the program, who are here for the right things."
Coaching creed says the best teams are player led, and you can bet Jackson-Davis plans to lead, that Woodson wants him to lead, and that includes providing this insight for a defense-first program:
Focus on offense.
"Intensity-wise, we have a great team," Jackson-Davis says. "I think everyone worked as hard as possible.
"Just the things we were working on -- we ran a lot last year with more emphasis on defense. Having more emphasis on the offensive game plan because our defense is going to carry over from last year. We've got to speed some of the younger guys up.
"The biggest thing for us would probably be offensively more sets, stuff of that nature. Just trying to get meshed together more, play with different guys.
"Last year we had two teams, so it was like the starting five and the bench. We would play against each other. We would never switch up the teams. That's where the starting five and the bench players would play together. I think that's huge for us to just get our team chemistry better."
It's no secret that the Hoosiers' Achilles heel has been shooting -- from three-point range and the line.
To win championships, and that's exactly why Jackson-Davis returned, IU has to be dramatically better in those areas.
That includes Jackson-Davis, who works to develop an effective perimeter game to complement his dominating post play. That's vital for next year's Hoosiers, and for his pro aspirations.
Jackson-Davis says the plan is for him to take four to five jump shots a game, along with 10 to 12 shots near the rim.
"I'm not going to forget about (his low-block play), but the biggest thing is adding a few jump shots."
As far as his NBA aspirations, coaches and general managers told him he'd likely be drafted in the second round, which meant no guaranteed contract.
Add that and COVID -- he showed no symptoms, but positive tests limited his work outs and cost him fitness and sharpness -- and he decided to postpone turning pro to next season.
"I want IU to be as good as possible. I think I elevate the team a lot – me playing away from the basket, more pick and rolls, using what I got from the NBA draft process."
Jackson-Davis trained in Los Angeles this spring. He had guard drills -- ball handling, shooting, reading movements off the dribble, catching and shooting, all from the perimeter.
"They were all components that will help me in the future."
Components include "looking to shoot" when he catches the ball.
"I would always wait and see what to do instead of just letting it go.
"When I'm in rhythm and shooting without hesitation, shooting with confidence, it's a totally different-looking shot."
Jackson-Davis was set to go to last week's NBA Combine in Chicago. The plan was to boost his prospects by showing he could handle big guys and still guard the perimeter.
Then COVID hit.
"I didn't get a chance to do that."
He was never seriously ill, or sick at all.
"I tested negative on Monday. I was going to fly out Tuesday. I took another test Tuesday morning and that one came back positive. Then I tested positive on Wednesday.
"At that point, I wasn't in game shape. I was at home not able to work out. I wasn't ready to play. There wasn't any point in me going."
If he stays healthy and productive next season, Jackson-Davis will finish among IU's greatest with potentially 2,000-points, 1,000 rebounds and 200 blocked shots.
In 122 years of basketball, no Hoosier has ever done that.
In three seasons, Jackson-Davis has 1,565 points, 797 rebounds and 178 blocks.
Only five Hoosiers have scored 2,000 or more points -- Calbert Cheaney (his 2,613 are the Big Ten record), Steve Alford (2,438), Don Schlundt (2,192), A.J. Guyton (2,100) and Woodson (2,061).
Only three Hoosiers have surpassed 1,000 rebounds – Alan Henderson (1,091), Walt Bellamy (1,087) and Kent Benson (1,031).
Jeff Newton has the school record for blocks (227)
Jackson-Davis says he's not driven by numbers, that he'd "rather get the championship."
"I'm an unselfish player. I'm a team player. I'm going to do what my coach wants me to do.
"I'm more set on winning the Big Ten than trying to chase records."
Still, joining the ranks of Cream 'n Crimson superstars such as Cheaney, Alford, Henderson and Woodson has its allure.
"Just being mentioned in that category, with how good those players are, that's huge."
Ultimately, however, numbers only take you so far. Championships define the greatest players. Jackson-Davis knows that.
"The biggest thing for me is being a player that works super hard on and off the court, set the examples, set standards high.
"It's been hard for us because we haven't had a lot of success in the winning column, but I feel like now with this team it's going to be huge for us. We finally have talent, and there's actual expectations for what we can do. Just trying to get one championship under my belt, whether it be Big Ten or national. Obviously, I would want national more, but starting with the Big Ten.
"It would be huge because I feel like we're a top three team right now. I love having expectations and having pressure with that situation because we've never had it in the past."
IU's strong finish -- when it reached the Big Ten tourney semifinals and then beat Wyoming in its NCAA tourney opener -- showed the Hoosiers how special big-time winning can be.
"When you're playing well," Jackson-Davis says, "the whole state is behind you. Everyone gets excited. When Indiana basketball is good, college basketball is good.
"We have a chance to be really, really good next season."
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