Indiana’s Trayce Jackson-Davis: ‘I’m Playing, Get That Out There’

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Indiana ahead Trayce Jackson-Davis was again at apply on Monday, however coach Mike Woodson mentioned Tuesday morning that he is nonetheless undecided he’ll be able to go for the Hoosiers’ massive showdown on Wednesday evening in opposition to North Carolina. 

A number of hours later, the ”banged-up” Jackson-Davis erased all doubt when he met with the media within the afternoon.

He is enjoying, come hell or excessive water.

“Clearly, I am not one hundred pc however I shall be enjoying (Wednesday). It is an enormous recreation, and I am enjoying. You all are going to need to get that on the market. I stay for taking part in in these big-time matchups. I need to show I am the most effective within the nation.

“You are gonna must take me out on a stretcher.”

Indiana hasn’t formally given any specifics on Jackson-Davis’ damage. He appeared uncomfortable within the Nov. 20 recreation in opposition to Miami of Ohio in Indianapolis, wanting like he was attempting to get his again loosened up. He missed Wednesday’s recreation in opposition to Little Rock — his first after 98 consecutive begins — and performed simply 19 minutes Friday in opposition to Jackson State.

“You undergo bumps and bruises if you play this recreation,” Woodson mentioned Tuesday morning. “I do not know if he took a fall or what, however I observed it a couple of video games proper earlier than the Little Rock recreation, him over there sitting uncomfortably. I do not know if it was his tailbone or one thing that was happening.

“He practiced (Monday), so I have never been down on the ground in the present day and even talked to the coach in the present day. I will give him a name right here in a minute simply to guage him and see the place he’s for apply in the present day. So I will not know that until a bit of in a while.”

Woodson talked to the media at 10:15 a.m. ET, and Jackson-Davis spoke at 3 p.m. earlier than apply. He was assured that he can reply the bell on Wednesday evening when the 6-0 and No. 10-ranked Hoosiers tackle No. 18 North Carolina, the preseason No. 1 that was a nationwide runner-up a 12 months in the past. That is the ultimate recreation within the ACC/Large Ten Problem.

“I’m not in as a lot ache as I used to be final week,” Jackson-Davis mentioned. “I’m sort of taking it straightforward in apply this week. I believe with the adrenaline and the way the gang goes to be, I’ll be advantageous for the sport.

“Clearly I’ll play my hardest. In the event that they must take me out on a stretcher, then they’ll have to do this. I’ll be able to go.”

Woodson is a giant believer within the ”subsequent man up” philosophy anyway, as a result of he is aware of accidents will happen over the course of an extended season. Large males Race Thompson and Malik Reneau have crammed in properly, as has Jordan Geronimo off the bench.

“On the finish of the day if he cannot play, it is subsequent man up,” Woodson mentioned. “I assumed Race did a hell of a job for us within the Little Rock recreation when he did not play. He stepped up, performed unbelievable.

“That is the sort of workforce I’ve at all times wished to have. I’ve had that previously in Atlanta and New York once I coached there. Accidents happen. All people will not in all probability make it by means of a season. You hope they’d, however that is not at all times the case. It is bought to be the following man in line to be able to play. You understand what I imply? That is simply how I take a look at it. When guys get harm, there’s not an entire lot you are able to do on it. You’ll be able to’t wait on them. You need to push guys which are prepared, get them able to go.”