NCAA Basketball: 10 best bets to win 2021-22 Naismith Player of the Year
By Tommy Farmer
Trayce Jackson-Davis +1200
April Headline: IU Returns to Blue Blood Status Behind TJD’s Dominant Season
Another Big Ten big man, Trayce Jackson-Davis has carried a despondent Hoosiers program on his back the last two seasons. Even though Indiana has not made the tournament during Jackson-Davis’s time in Bloomington, they would be in a far worse predicament without him.
His offensive prowess within 15-feet makes him one of the most dominant bigs in the country. Jackson-Davis averaged 19.1 PPG and 9.0 RPG last season while single-handedly covering up many team mistakes on the defensive end with his elite rim protection abilities. Even more impressive, he did this while attracting nearly all of the opposing defenses’ attention and having little help offensively.
It seems like Indiana’s dark days are behind them now following the coaching change from Archie Miller to Mike Woodson, however. When Woodson was originally hired, the doubters were everywhere questioning how Woodson would transition to the college game, especially at a place like Indiana where expectations can be unrealistic. He shut those doubters up very quickly by retaining Jackson-Davis and other key players while simultaneously landing some huge gets for the program.
I really think Jackson-Davis will flourish in Woodson’s new system and with more capable shooters around him. Tamar Bates, Miller Kopp, and Xavier Johnson all coming into the program should ease the pressure on Jackson-Davis and help him get more favorable one-on-one matchups.
As far as team success goes, Indiana has a great chance to return to the Big Dance and return to national relevance. Personally, I think Indiana will be the fourth-best team in the Big Ten this year and should enjoy plenty of time ranked in the top-20. All of these factors will help Jackson Davis in his efforts to bring home the Naismith trophy.