Matt Painter Compliments Trayce Jackson-Davis' Improvement, NBA Chances, Personality

Purdue coach Matt Painter had high praise for Indiana forward Trayce Jackson-Davis following the Hoosiers' 79-74 win. Painter commented on Jackson-Davis' improvement, NBA chances and their relationship.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Purdue coach Matt Painter recruited Indiana star forward Trayce Jackson-Davis out of Center Grove High School in Greenwood, Ind., and he's now game planned against him for four seasons.

Their most recent meeting went to Jackson-Davis and the Hoosiers in a 79-74 thriller over Purdue on Saturday at Assembly Hall. Jackson-Davis scored 25 points on 9-for-19 shooting and a 7-for-9 day from the free throw line. 

"Trayce is fabulous," Painter said. "Just a great person, great player. We were on him early and put a lot of time into him and obviously he chose to come here and that's his choice, but he's fabulous."

Aside from his continued scoring prowess over the last few weeks, Jackson-Davis has become a well-rounded player for the Hoosiers as a senior. He added seven rebounds and five blocks against Purdue, generating high praise from Painter after the game.

"He added more pieces to his game," Painter said. "His decision-making when he first started when you doubled him was just okay, and now he's gotten where he's really good. But tonight he was physical. When he made moves and he did stuff, like our guys were bouncing off of him. It was impressive. He made a couple spin moves and you know the dunks."

Jackson-Davis has made a strong case for All-American status this year, averaging 19.8 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 3.2 blocks on 57.6 percent shooting. But with an unproven jump shot at 6-foot-9, some have doubted Jackson-Davis as an NBA prospect. In a recent mock draft by Jonathan Wasserman on Bleacher Report, Jackson-Davis came in at No. 50 overall, but Painter thinks he has a long professional career ahead.

"He's got a bright future," Painter said. "There's some really, really intelligent NBA people out there that understand that. So you can look at those mock drafts or whatever, but he's going to spend a long time in the NBA."

Painter also took time on Saturday to compliment Jackson-Davis personality off the court.

"He's fabulous, and he's a super, super person," Painter said. "When Caleb Swanigan passed away, he reached out to me and sent me a text, and it just kind of shows you what's inside of him."

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• GAME STORY: Trayce Jackson-Davis had 25 points and Indiana closed out No. 1-ranked Purdue with some key baskets in the final minute, winning 79-74 on Saturday in an electric Assembly Hall. CLICK HERE
• PURDUE STRUGGLES WITH TURNOVERS, ENVIRONMENT: Purdue suffered its second loss of the season on Saturday, a 79-74 loss to Indiana at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Ind. 16 turnovers and a 10-for-17 afternoon at the free throw line was costly, and coach Matt Painter thought his team lacked concentration and mental toughness in a difficult road environment. CLICK HERE
• WHAT WOODSON SAID: Indiana knocked off No. 1 Purdue 79-74 on Saturday at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Hoosiers coach Mike Woodson met with the media afterward. Here is the full video of his press conference, plus the transcript. CLICK HERE
• WHAT JACKSON-DAVIS, HOOD-SCHIFINO SAID: Trayce Jackson-Davis had 25 points and seven rebounds on Saturday and Jalen Hood-Schifino added 16 points in the Hoosiers' 79-74 win over No. 1-ranked Purdue. The pair met with the media on Saturday after. the game. Here's the full video and transcript of the press conference. CLICK HERE
• WATCH HOOD-SCHIFINO'S LAYUP OVER EDEY: Indiana freshman point guard Jalen Hood-Schifino drove right to Purdue's 7-foot-4 center Zach Edey down the stretch and converted a clutch layup in the final moments of Indiana's 79-74 win. Watch it here. CLICK HERE
• WATCH JACKSON-DAVIS DUNK: Jalen Hood-Schifino connected with Trayce Jackson-Davis for a massive alley-oop in the first half against Purdue. Watch it here. CLICK HERE
• WATCH JACKSON-DAVIS BLOCK LOYER: Indiana star forward Trayce Jackson-Davis rejected Fletcher Loyer's layup attempt early in the first half against Purdue on Saturday. Watch it here. CLICK HERE
• DICK VITALE AT ASSEMBLY HALL: Dick Vitale is on the call for ESPN on Saturday at 4 p.m. ET when Indiana takes on No. 1 Purdue. The Indiana student section gave him a warm welcome. CLICK HERE
• GERONIMO WARMING UP: Indiana junior forward Jordan Geronimo is in uniform and warming up prior to Saturday's game against Purdue at 4 p.m. ET at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Geronimo missed the last two games with a calf strain. CLICK HERE