Badgers' Jackson: 'I'm playing on Sunday' against Michigan State
MADISON, Wis. -- Wisconsin point guard Traevon Jackson hasn't practiced at full speed once since he suffered a broken right foot in a game against Rutgers six weeks ago. But that hasn't stopped Jackson from declaring his intention to play against Michigan State on March 1 in Wisconsin's final regular-season home game.
Whether the Badgers' training staff medically clears Jackson to play, however, remains a mystery.
Jackson met with reporters before Sunday's practice for the first time since he broke the foot on Jan. 11, and he said unequivocally: "I'm playing on Sunday." But he also kept coy as to what doctors' plans were for him.
"I've been cleared," said Jackson, who was still wearing a protective walking boot. "I can't speak about medical stuff."
A UW team spokesperson later said Jackson had not yet been cleared, though Jackson indicated he would practice some time after the team's Tuesday game at Maryland. He noted his timetable all along was to return for the Michigan State game, which also will serve as senior day for Jackson, one of four seniors on the roster.
Still, Jackson's news came as a surprise to the Badgers' coaching staff.
"I just saw it on Twitter before I came down here," Wisconsin assistant coach Greg Gard said. "I haven't talked to any of our medical staff about anything. I don't know anything. I know less than anybody else."
If Jackson isn't cleared to play in time for the Michigan State game, he'll have two more opportunities before the Badgers begin their Big Ten tournament. UW (25-2, 13-1 in Big Ten play) closes its regular season March 5 at Minnesota and March 8 at Ohio State, though Jackson sounded determined to return before then.
"I feel like I'm prepared," Jackson said. "All I really need to be is in shape. I played basketball a long time in my life. It won't take that long to get the feel back for the game. Just trying to get in shape. Running a lot in the pool and a lot of things like that just as precautionary for now. But I can walk without (the boot)."
Jackson said he would be willing to help the team in any way he could, whether it be starting or coming off the bench. He started 84 consecutive games before sustaining the injury, and his return would provide a significant lift to the fifth-ranked Badgers, whose starters have been forced to play the bulk of the minutes in his absence.
"I think they've been doing a great job of really getting better," he said. "Not just weathering the storm, they got better. For me to come along and sort of help them out and be a part of that, that's all I can hope for."
In Jackson's place, backup point guard Bronson Koenig has thrived. The team has won 10 consecutive Big Ten games since the injury to put Wisconsin on the cusp of its first Big Ten regular-season championship since 2008. Koenig scored a career-high 17 points on Saturday during Wisconsin's 63-53 victory against Minnesota. In 10 starts replacing Jackson, Koenig is averaging 12.6 points on 48.0 percent 3-point shooting with 25 assists and nine turnovers in 35.9 minutes per game.
Jackson has taken the time to serve as Koenig's mentor since the sophomore entered the program, and he tried to be especially helpful over the past six weeks, which was not always easy while watching from the sideline.
"Honestly, at first it was a little tough," Jackson said. "It was tough because I wanted to be a part of it. I wanted to be out there. But I just really embraced it and looked at the opportunity, how can I help Bronson be better? How can I help him be the best player he can be? He's been doing awesome. He's really stepped up and led the team well. The guys have really responded to him. It's just been a great journey for me as well to be in this position."
In 17 starts this season, Jackson averaged 9.4 points over 27.4 minutes per game with 49 assists and 28 turnovers. Jackson's scoring output and shooting ability don't match Koenig, but Badgers center Frank Kaminsky said Jackson's greatest strengths were his toughness and leadership. In his career, Jackson has hit four game-winning or game-tying jumpers in the closing seconds of games.
"You can't replace that on the court," Kaminsky said. "Just Trae's mindset about how he approaches every game. He has the mindset that he's going to lead the team, he's going to take all the criticism, he's going to do all the things he has to do to make sure we win a basketball game. I'm looking forward to having that back."
Given what Jackson has meant to Wisconsin's program over the years, the rest of his teammates are equally thrilled for his return, whenever it transpires.
"He's the senior leader, and I'm going to be really happy for him when he finally does come back," Koenig said. "It's going to be nice to have that extra depth and also nice to have somebody to give me a break, too."
Added Badgers guard Josh Gasser: "If he's not physically 100 percent, he's going to be mentally 100 percent and give everything he's got to us, and that's really all that matters. That can take you a long way. So I know he's been working his tail off, and he's going to continue to do that to get himself ready to go and help the team because he's not going to want to play if he's not going to help the team. I think he'll be all right."
Jackson, who underwent surgery Jan. 15, said he knew the injury was severe when he heard a crack after landing while contesting a jump shot against Rutgers. But he felt fortunate to have enough time to rehab and return as Wisconsin prepares to make a repeat run to the Final Four.
"I had a really supernatural peace about it," Jackson said. "I had one moment right after the game where I kind of broke down. But after that I was like everything will be all right."
Gard noted Jackson wouldn't have a problem fitting back into the rotation because of his experience and leadership. But it will be up to the coaching staff to determine how to split the minutes between Koenig and Jackson as the most important part of Wisconsin's season approaches.
"It'll be about probably what he can tolerate and how much we can bring him back at what rate," Gard said. "If it's full blast into it, if he's on a pitch count or whatever we have going, we haven't gotten to that point yet. I'm sure that'll be addressed as we go through the week."
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