Michigan State Basketball: 5 bold predictions for November 2017
3. Jaren Jackson Jr. will average 4.0 blocks per game
What a preseason it was for Jaren Jackson Jr. The freshman big man from Indiana showed off his defensive skill set, along with his ability to put the ball on the floor and even stretch the floor with his range. He can hit the three, drive to the basket and block shots just as well as anyone on the team.
It’s rare to have a kid who can excel in those three areas, but Jackson Jr. seems to be like an Adreian Payne-type of player, but far more advanced at this point in his career. It took Payne 2-3 years to get to that long-range shooting step in his career.
In his first-ever collegiate action against Ferris State, Jackson Jr. swatted eight shots and he didn’t even start. He looked like one of the best pure shot-blockers in college basketball before even having taken the floor in regular season action.
With that long frame, Jackson Jr. will be a menace in the post. He’s not going to give up many easy shots down low and I’d be willing to bet he approaches some Michigan State shot-blocking records even if he’s just a one-and-done. He will average 4.0 blocks per game in the first month.