Big Ten Basketball: Top 10 Player of the Year candidates for 2021-22

Big Ten Basketball: Top 10 Player of the Year candidates for 2021-22 season

Feb 20, 2021; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Purdue Boilermakers guard Sasha Stefanovic (55) celebrates a three point basket with forward Trevion Williams (50) and guard Jaden Ivey (23) against the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the second half at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /

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Big Ten Basketball Indiana Hoosiers forward Trayce Jackson-Davis Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

482. . . . Trayce Jackson-Davis. 6. player

2021-22 stats: 19.3 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 3.2 bpg

The Indiana Hoosiers are 10-3 overall but 1-2 in Big Ten play after falling to Penn State on the road. As a team, they’ve underachieved overall but that has been more about the supporting cast of Trayce Jackson-Davis, and not the star forward himself.

Statistically, the junior big man’s numbers are similar compared to last season, with the exception of the massive boost in blocks. Jackson-Davis has had seven games of at least three blocks, including a career-high seven against Northern Illinois. Scoring-wise, he’s also had a career-high game of 43 points on 18/24 shooting in a win over Marshall, which was followed by a performance of 31 points and 16 rebounds in a double-overtime loss to Syracuse.

The big man has had eight games of at least 16 points this season and when he gets the ball, is one of the most prolific scorers in the country. That includes going for 17 points and 12 rebounds in a victory over Notre Dame just a couple of weeks ago.

If Indiana wants to make the NCAA Tournament in likely Jackson-Davis’ final season in college basketball, they’re going to need even more from him as league play gets going. He’s capable of doing it as opposing teams can only contain, not stop him.

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