ALBANY — Miami’s Norchad Omier and Indiana’s Trayce Jackson-Davis can’t wait to play each other.
The two big men will get their chance at 8:40 p.m. Sunday in a second-round NCAA Tournament game at MVP Arena.
Senior forward Jackson-Davis, a first-team All-American, leads an Indiana offense that put up 71 points Friday night in a first-round win over Kent State. He averages 20.8 points, 10.9 rebounds (sixth nationally) and 4.1 assists per game.
“We know they come to him most every possession, and he’s going to be a big challenge for me. I’m excited for it, if I’m being honest. I’m waiting for it,” Omier said of going up against Jackson-Davis.
When: 8:40 p.m. Sunday
Where: MVP Arena, Albany
TV: TNT
“Trust me, every team we play, I’m sure they’re sitting there saying we’ve got to do this, do that, but there’s not one thing (Jackson-Davis) can’t do on the floor. It makes the coach that’s sitting there preparing for him, it makes you wonder how can you stop this guy?,” Indiana coach Mike Woodson said.
Sophomore forward Omier, an All-Atlantic Coast Conference third-team pick, averages 13.6 points and 9.7 boards per game (17th in Division I).
“He’s a great player. He plays a lot bigger than what his size is,” Jackson-Davis said of Omier, who at 6-foot-7, 248 pounds is pretty big to begin with. “He plays with a lot of energy. Yeah, it’s going to be a battle, and I can’t wait.”
Omier injured his ankle in Miami’s semifinal loss to Duke on March 10 and was questionable to play Friday. But if his ankle was bothering him during the game, he didn’t show it, scoring 12 points — mostly at the free-throw line — and pulling down 14 rebounds.
“I’ve just got to keep getting used to it. It’s something new to me. But I’m feeling great, if I’m being…
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