Trayce Jackson-Davis dominates “rival” Illinois with 35-point performance

Trayce Jackson-Davis dominates the Illini in Champaign with 35 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 blocks in 35 minutes as the Hoosiers beat Illinois, 80-65.

The Preseason Big Ten Player of the Year had the best game of his Indiana basketball career on Thursday night, in my opinion, as he showed a certain style of leadership and calmness that we haven’t seen consistently from the senior forward.

According to the Big Ten Conference, Jackson-Davis is the first major conference player to post such a stat line in a road game in 20 seasons.

Playing like an All-American in his last five games, averaging 23.0 points, 13.0 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 3.4 blocks, Jackson-Davis has been hindered scoring at times this year but has made up for it big time with his blocking ability at the rim and ability to pass out of double teams finding open teammates.

Aside from his ability to do more than just score, he had one of the best and most athletic plays I’ve seen him make at the 0:57 mark in the video below. Check it out:

Trayce Jackson-Davis has quietly shown that he’s capable of much more than just scoring the ball in the post. In a game where he could have put up 40+ points because of the lack of defense and double teams from the Illini, Jackson-Davis chose to get the best look for the Hoosiers on every chance, missing only four of his shot attempts and dishing out five assists as well.

With the help from Jalen Hood-Schifino, Jordan Geronimo, and others, Trayce Jackson-Davis is keeping the Hoosiers afloat as they wait for the returns of seniors, Xavier Johnson and Race Thompson, who will likely be back in action mid-to-late February by the earliest.

If Jackson-Davis continues his tear on both ends of the floor and the Hoosiers continue to win, is there any reason he shouldn’t be up for Big Ten Player of the Year and an All-American nod? I’d be shocked if he isn’t a first-team All-American if he doesn’t slow down over the next few weeks.