Hoosiers MVP from Indiana basketball 81-79 win vs. Xavier

No. 12 Indiana basketball walked into the Cintas Center against a talented Xavier squad and pulled out a tough road victory, and one Hoosier dominated — Trayce Jackson-Davis.

Stat line vs. Xavier: 37 MIN | 30 PTS | 13/16 FG | 4/6 FT | 6 REB | 2 AST | 3 BLK | 1 PF | 3 TOV

Trayce Jackson-Davis came into this true non-conference road game with limited practice time due to illness and also recovering from his right wrist injury and showed why he’s the Preseason Big Ten Player of the Year.

This is what I’ve been looking for in the first two games for TJD, as he had quiet 15 and 20-point performances against Morehead State and Bethune-Cookman and was predominantly outplayed by our star freshman.

Not this time.

Jackson-Davis showed up in the biggest way possible and dominated the talented frontcourt of Jack Nunge and Zach Freemantle for Xavier.

This might’ve been Jackson-Davis’ most impressive game of his career, comparable to his domination of Iowa in the Big Ten Tournament last season and his 43-point career night against Marshall last season.

This one stands out above the 43-point night because of the environment and competition. Jack Nunge and Zach Freemantle are one of the best frontcourt duos in the country and Jackson-Davis’ defense and ability to finish through both of them guarding him was crazy impressive.

Although the unsung hero of this game was Xavier Johnson, who proved his worth and importance to this team by scoring in times of need to keep the game within reach in the first half, Jackson-Davis was the clear standout and continues to prove doubters wrong about his improvement this season and the hype surrounding Indiana basketball.