Fansided

Josh Jackson won’t miss any NCAA tournament games

By Dave Stevenson

Mar 4, 2017; Stillwater, OK, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Josh Jackson (11) moves the ball against the Oklahoma State Cowboys during the second half at Gallagher-Iba Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2017; Stillwater, OK, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Josh Jackson (11) moves the ball against the Oklahoma State Cowboys during the second half at Gallagher-Iba Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Josh Jackson will not miss any NCAA Tournament games despite a suspension. 

Kansas will enter the 2017 NCAA Tournament as one of the four No. 1 seeds. With one of the most talented groups in the country, the Jayhawks have a solid chance of winning a national title. After losing freshman phenom Josh Jackson due to a suspension, he’ll be back for the start of the NCAA Tournament, according to his coach.

"Kansas coach Bill Self had a two-word response when asked Monday whether star freshman Josh Jackson would miss NCAA tournament games for a lingering off-the-court issue involving a member of the women’s basketball team. The first word began with the letter H. The second word was “No.”"

Getting Jackson back is huge for the Jayhawks. He ranks second on Kansas with 16.4 points per game, trailing only Frank Mason III. Jackson also ranks second in rebounds, averaging 7.2 a game, trailing only Landen Lucas, who has 8.4. He also leads the team in steals, averaging 1.6 per game. Jackson makes the Jayhawks’ offense less one dimensional. Without him, they relied a bit too heavily on Mason. Jackson gives them an athletic threat who can be a nightmare to match up against.

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He was suspended by Self for the quarterfinal game of the Big 12 tournament following a series of off the court issues. Most of them stem from a December incident in which a women’s basketball player allegedly had a confrontation with Jackson’s teammate Lagerald Vick. He followed the woman out to the parking lot where he did damage to her car. Jackson was charged with misdemeanor criminal damage to property. His arraignment will be held in April.

Kansas is the top seed in the Midwest Division. They’re waiting to see who they’ll play, as they’ll face whoever wins the play-in game between North Carolina Central and UC Davis.

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