Trayce Jackson-Davis selected to John R. Wooden award watch list
Indiana senior forward Trayce Jackson-Davis was among a group of 50 student-athletes selected to the John R. Wooden Award® presented by Wendy’s® Preseason Top 50 Watch List today on ESPN’s SportsCenter and on ESPN.com. Chosen by a preseason poll of national college basketball experts, the list is comprised of 50 student-athletes who are the early front-runners for the most prestigious honors in college basketball, the Wooden Award All American Team™ and Most Outstanding Player Award.
Jackson-Davis was previously honored as a Preseason All-American by the Blue-Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook, College Hoops Today, The Almanac, CBS Sports, The Athletic, the Associated Press, and Sporting News. Jackson-Davis was also named to the NABC Player of the Year Watch List, Preseason Big Ten Player of the Year, and selected to the Karl Malone Award Watch List. Jackson-Davis ranks 13th all-time at IU in scoring (1,624), 19th in scoring average (16.1), ninth in rebounds (810), seventh in blocked shots (179), and seventh in field goal percentage (55.8%).
He was named a third-team All-American as a sophomore, has earned all-district honors each of the last two seasons, and has been a third team, first-team and second-team All-Big Ten choice in his first three campaigns with the Hoosiers. The former Mr. Basketball winner ranked among the Big Ten leaders in points per game (18.3; 6th in the Big Ten), rebounds per game (8.1; 6th), field goal percentage (58.9%; 4th), free throws made (147; 5th), free throws attempted (218; 2nd), and total blocked shots (81, t-1st) in 35 starts for the Hoosiers in his third season on campus. Jackson-Davis anchored a Hoosier defense that was ranked as the most efficient in the league by KenPom (24th in the nation) and held opponents to a league-low 39.6% shooting from the floor. Jackson-Davis has recorded 32 double-doubles and two 30-point/10-rebound performances in his career.
Grace Berger & Mackenize Holmes named to the Wooden Award Preseason top 50 watch list
Indiana’s graduate student guard Grace Berger and senior forward Mackenzie Holmes were both named to the Wooden Award Preseason Top 50 Watch List. Chosen by a preseason poll of national college basketball experts, the list is comprised of 50 student-athletes who are the early front-runners for the most prestigious honors in college basketball, the Wooden Award All American Team™ and Most Outstanding Player Award.
The duo has led Indiana to a 3-0 start for the sixth time in seven seasons, coming off a 79-67 win at No. 11/5 Tennessee on Monday night. They both posted double-doubles in the victory, Holmes leading the way with a team-high 16 points and 10 boards while Berger added 16 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and two steals. In three games, Holmes is averaging a team-high 16.3 points and 6.7 rebounds per game while shooting 72.4 percent from the floor. Berger is adding 11.0 points, a team-high 7.3 rebounds and 5.6 assists and shooting 50 percent from the floor. The pair was also named to the 2022-23 preseason All-Big Ten teams and are both up for national positional awards in the Cheryl Miller Award (Berger) and Lisa Leslie Award (Holmes).
The players on the list are considered strong candidates for the 2023 John R. Wooden Award Women’s Player of the Year presented by Wendy’s. Players not chosen to the preseason list are still eligible for the Wooden Award™ midseason list, late season list, and the National Ballot. The National Ballot consists of 15 top players who have proven to their universities that they meet or exceed the qualifications of the Wooden Award. Nearly 1,000 voters will rank in order 10 of those 15 players when voting opens prior to the NCAA Tournament and will allow voters to take into consideration performance during early round games. The Wooden Award All American Team™ will be announced the week of the “Elite Eight” round of the NCAA Tournament. The winner of the 2023 John R. Wooden Award will be presented in Los Angeles in April.
Indiana University Men’s Soccer NCAA Tournament second round game time announced
Indiana University Men’s Soccer will host the winner of Memphis or St. Louis in the NCAA tournament second round on Sunday at Noon on Jerry Yeagley Field at Bill Armstrong Stadium. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+. Memphis and St Louis will play in St Louis tomorrow night at 8pm with the winner coming to Bloomington for Sunday’s match. Memphis is 9-5-4 on the season and received an at large bid while St Louis is 11-4-3 and won the Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament. Saint Louis returns to the tournament for its record 50th tournament appearance looking to add to its NCAA-record 10 trophies.
Indiana men’s soccer earned its ninth straight national seed as the No. 13-seeded program in the 2022 NCAA Tournament on Monday. The 48-team tournament field was announced on the 2022 NCAA Division I men’s soccer championship selection show. IU returns to the competition for the 47th time in program history while making its 36th consecutive appearance. The Hoosiers and UCLA are both in the field for the 47th time which is tied for the second most in NCAA Men’s Soccer history behind Saint Louis. Indiana has won eight national title and looking for a ninth. The Hoosiers have not won a national championship since 2012 when they defeated Georgetown 1-0 in Hoover, Alabama. Tickets are $ 10 for adults and $ 5 for children ages 3-18. IU students get in free with their crimson card.
Indiana University Softball Signs four players for 2023 class
Indiana softball announced four additions in its 2023 signing class. This class is a very athletic group with a lot of versatility and talent with utility Alex Cooper, infielders Aly VanBrandt and Tristian Thompson and power pitcher Lauren Hardy.
Alex Cooper UT | Mooresville, Ind. | Mooresville High School
Alex Cooper was named MVP at Mooresville for the 2021 and 2022 seasons. She earned Mid-state All-Conference honors (2021, 2022), Second Team All-State (2021) and First Team All-State (2022). In 2022, she batted .582 with 63 runs, 57 hits, 64 RBI’s, 18 home runs, and stole 24 bases. At Mooresville High School, Cooper set eight single season records in home runs (18), hits (48 in 2021, 57 in 2022), runs scored (63), RBIs (64), walks (21) and stolen bases (24), pitching wins (16). The Mooresville native also holds the program for most runs scored in a season (98). Cooper played travel ball for the Indiana Gators and was a part of the 2022 Scenic City All-Tournament team and the 2022 Alliance All-Tournament team. She was also a four-year letterwinner in volleyball for the Pioneers. The daughter of John and Kimberly, Cooper plans to major in psychology. Why IU? I chose IU because of the family atmosphere and the beautiful campus. Head Coach Shonda Stanton- “Alex is one of the most talented players we have had the honor of signing. Her spirited athleticism and elite ability make her an exciting player to watch. Hoosier grown and a five-tool player. We’re fired up she’s staying home to rep the Indiana script.”
Aly VanBrandt IF | Ottawa Lake, Mich. | Whiteford High School
VanBrandt was named the 2022 Monroe News Player of the Year. She is a two-time First Team All-State shortstop, two-time First Team All- League, Division 4 State Runner Up (2022). The Michigan native also won two back-to-back Conference Championships in 2021 and 2022. A native of Ottawa Lake, Michigan, VanBrandt holds five school records at Whiteford in hits (78), runs (73), batting average in a single season (.678), stolen bases (40) and career batting average (.660). She was a member of the Turnin2 18u National Pezzoni travel team. They were JO Cup Champions, PGF Firecracker Champions and made it to two final fours in the USA Gold Championship, and the tier two Alliance nationals. She was a two-year letterwinner in softball and four years in volleyball. The daughter of Matt and Audra, VanBrandt plans to major in exercise science. Why IU? The amazing people and program. Head Coach Shonda Stanton- “Aly is an all-around athlete with a strong arm, quickness and range. Her lefty skill set at the plate makes her an excellent fit for our system. Her determined mindset will be a distinguishing factor in her development at IU. Excited to watch her ball out in the cream and crimson.”
Tristian Thompson IF | Waco, Texas | Midway High School
Tristian Thompson is a three-time First Team All-District Infield, two-time Academic All-District honoree and was named Third Team All-State in 2022. She was a member of the American Freedom 18u National travel ball team. In her career she has totaled 35 home runs, 122 RBIs and a batting average of .503 at Midway High School. The Waco, Texas, native is a two-time All-Academic Award recipient and a three-time Academic All-District honoree. She is also a student trainer for the Midway football and basketball teams. The daughter of Todd and Tamara, Thompson plans to major in exercise science. Why IU? I chose IU because I wanted to go to college with the feeling that I was at home, and as soon as I stepped on campus, I knew IU was my home away from home. Head Coach Shonda Stanton-“Tristian swings a big stick with booming power. She has a strong presence and an impressive stature. She had the ability to impact the game with one swing, and it will be entertaining to watch her drop bombs at Andy Mohr Field. Proud she chose to be a Hoosier.”
Lauren Hardy P/UT | Blythewood, S.C. | Blythewood High School
Lauren Hardy was named the 2022 Region 4 Player of the Year, two-time All-State, All-Region, team MVP and Scholar Athlete. She also earned State Newspaper Player of the Week and was named All-Area 2022. Hardy was recognized as a Scholar Athlete in 2021 and 2022. The Blythewood native, has recorded the second most strikeouts in a single season for Blythewood High School. Hardy is tied for the most home runs in a game, second in career home runs, and third for most strikeouts in a game in program history. As a four-year letterwinner, she ranks second in career home runs. Hardy is a member of the Lady Dukes National Premier travel team. She won the Children’s Healthcare Fastpitch Classic in 2022. The daughter of Barry & Keba, Hardy plans to major in pre-med to become a Dermatologist. Why IU? I chose IU for the softball culture Coach Stanton and team created at IU. I felt so at home on my visit and could really see myself there for the next 4 years of my life.
Head Coach Shonda Stanton- “Lauren is a pure athlete in the circle with the versatility to be a two-way player. As a power pitcher her combination of speed and spin make her a great addition to our staff. Coach Bell is looking forward to working with and developing her. She has a high sky, and it will be a joy to coach her.”
Indiana University Wrestling announces newest signing class
Indiana Wrestling head coach Angel Escobedo announced the program’s newest signing class on Tuesday morning. The Hoosiers have added a pair of in-state recruits to the program. Sam Goin and Aidan Torres will arrive in Bloomington in the fall of 2023.
Sam Goin | 165 lbs. | Crown Point, Ind.
Is a standout wrestler from Crown Point High School. No. 1 rated wrestler at 160 lbs. in Indiana by IndianaMat. Ranked No. 56 overall in the class of 2023 and the No. 7 prospect at 160 lbs. by MatScouts. 2022 State Champion at 152 lbs. with a 32-0 record. 2021 fourth place finish at Indiana State Championships at 126 lbs. … Finished fifth in the state tournament at 106 lbs. Intended Major: Biology. Why IU: “I picked IU because I love the coaching staff and the campus’ aesthetic.”
Aidan Torres | 141/149 lbs. | Chesterton, Ind.
A talented grappler from Chesterton High School. 2022 third place finish at Indiana State Championships at 145 lbs. Finished in eighth place at 132 lbs. at the 2021 State Championships. Sixth place at 126 lbs in 2020 State Championships. top-15 rated senior in Indiana by IndianaMat. Intended Major: Environmental and Sustainability Studies. Why IU: “I chose IU because they have the best coaching staff and brotherhood in the Nation. Go Hoosiers!”
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