There was no bigger pressure on anyone in the heralded St. John’s basketball transfer portal class than Ian Jackson, for better or worse.
Through three games, Jackson’s play has been fine, but Rick Pitino is searching for more from the New York product, and he finally saw some of that in Thursday’s 48-point victory over Bucknell.
Jackson scored a season-high 20 points, which was tied for the team lead on the night with Bryce Hopkins, and added four rebounds, three assists, and, most importantly, no turnovers.
“I think my confidence was at an all-time high through the first few games we’ve had,” he explained. “I’ve remained at the same confidence [level]. I think tonight, I played a good game.”
It was the second straight game that the North Carolina transfer was coming off the bench, something that he doesn’t mind, and his head coach doesn’t care about.
“I don't think any of you will ever ask again who is starting again,” Pitino joked after he pulled all five of his starters, which was the fourth different starting lineup in four games, three minutes into the game against Bucknell.
“He didn’t force things,” he added about Jackson. “He took it when it was there. In practice he’s getting better and better.”
The Hall of Famer expressed his desire for Jackson to learn how to impact the game in other ways outside of scoring since he arrived at St. John’s – most importantly rebounding and playing defense – and it was on display against the Bison.
“Listening to coach, taking feedback, and trying to implement what I’m being told,” Jackson said were his biggest keys during practice.
On this night it was not turning the ball over and dishing out three assists.
“It’s a testament to my hard work and my focus on doing the little things and trying to get better.”
Pitino said one of the biggest hinderances in Ian Jackson’s game was the unforced turnovers and it’s something that he has been trying to get him to limit.
“Nobody sees the work that’s put in on a day-to-day basis around here,” Dillon Mitchell said about Jackson. “It feels good to know that he’s staying levelheaded with everything.”
“Ian’s younger but he takes everything in, and he listens, and he wants to get better.”
No. 14 St. John’s (3-1) will be hoping for more progress from Ian Jackson as the team heads to Las Vegas for the Players Era Festival playing No. 16 Iowa State, Baylor, and likely another power conference opponent next week.
The Johnnies tipoff against the Cyclones on Monday afternoon (4:30 p.m. ET, truTV).