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Mike Lopresti | NCAA.com | March 16, 2022

Indiana's Trayce Jackson-Davis and Texas Southern's deep bench take over as fans return to March Madness

Trayce Jackson-Davis scores 29 to lead Indiana past Wyoming

DAYTON, Ohio — Ah, opening night. Always special for Broadway productions . . . blockbuster movies . . . the NCAA tournament. Especially this year, because March sounded like March again — for a Texas Southern team that has a lot of reasons to be liked, and an Indiana team aiming to revive an aura.

The empty seats and low-voltage pandemic ambience of 2021 were history. There were crowds and bands and cheerleaders and noise when Texas Southern pulled away late to put away Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 76-67.

“It was electrifying. It’s the kind of stuff we missed last year,” Texas Southern’s John Walker III was saying afterward. “This year made you feel like it’s the biggest sports show on Earth.”

Added his teammate Bryson Etienne, after scoring 21 points, “Now, since everybody’s in the gym, you’ve got the cheerleaders and band, it’s an experience we’ve all dreamt of.”

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There were roars from the heavily tilted Indiana audience as Trayce Jackson-Davis continued his March push that began last week in the conference tournament. This time, 29 points in a 66-58 Indiana victory over Wyoming.

“It was honestly surreal,” Jackson-Davis said. “I’ve always dreamed about playing in this tournament.”

How much can you learn on opening night?

We learned the Indiana surge continues. The Big Ten grind did not take so much out of the Hoosiers that they couldn’t put a little muscle on Wyoming, forcing 19 turnovers and outscoring the Cowboys 46-26 in the paint, 16-0 on fast break points and 16-6 in second-chance points. They had rough moments but still played like a team on a mission, which they are.

This was Indiana’s first NCAA tournament game in six seasons. The Hoosiers have been to one Elite Eight in 28 years. Hardly a proper resume for one of the sport’s A-listers. They are intent to change that, intent to refurbish their stature, so the next time they beat Illinois and Michigan one week, they won’t be sent to the First Four the next.

“We’re all going to play with a chip on our shoulder, honestly,” Xavier Johnson had said on Monday.

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Restoration of Indiana’s hallowed name is at the top of Mike Woodson’s to-do list in his first season. “Coach Woodson to me has just brought the light,” Jackson-Davis said. “I feel like Indiana basketball has been in darkness for so long now.”

But not Tuesday night. Wyoming got a taste of the harsh ways of the Big Ten, especially the body-to-body defense. The Cowboys’ leading scorers — Graham Ike and Hunter Maldonado — had 15 field goals. And 15 turnovers. “Now they know what it feels like to play a Big Ten team,” Wyoming coach Jeff Linder said.

And when Indiana needed an extra boost for the occasion, there was Jordan Geronimo off the bench with his 3.9 scoring average. He contributed 15 points and seven rebounds and maybe Indiana doesn’t win without him. “I call it playoff basketball, tournament play,” Woodson said, recalling his NBA days. “You find a guy that steps up for you. And he was the guy tonight.”

When the game ended, Indiana had a first-round date against Saint Mary’s in Portland — 2,300 miles away — in under 44 hours. The charter flight was waiting at the Dayton airport. The Hoosiers would be in the air in the wee hours. Welcome to the First Four. “We still gotta play the game,” Woodson said. “Can’t run from it.”

Meanwhile, the special chemistry of Texas Southern is very easy to admire. The Tigers will get Kansas Thursday, so odds are they’ll be heading home soon. But look how they got this far.

Everybody plays, everybody contributes, nobody worries about personal numbers. There were 10 Tigers on the floor in the first 10 minutes Tuesday. Texas Southern got 55 points off the bench including its top three scorers — Etienne, Walker with 16 and PJ Henry with 14.

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They might start against Kansas Thursday. Who knows? Coach Johnny Jones has used 18 different lineups this season. Because of that, nobody came into Tuesday averaging double figures. Nobody built up showy individual stats, which is how Texas Southern could win the SWAC and not have a single player named to the first or second all-league team. But it created a purpose that allowed the Tigers to survive an 0-7 start and then go into Gainesville and shock Florida.

“It cut down on the pouting and guessing and all the other stuff. I think as a unit it helped them become even closer,” Jones said. “At the end of the day I’m glad I’ve got a great group of guys who are focused on the big picture.

“They weren’t worried about starting anymore. It was about the minutes played and the impact they could have on the team when they get in.”

Do the players mind? Take a listen.

“I think the biggest thing with that is it helps everybody with just being humble, just keep our humility in check,” Walker said. “Nobody gets too high or too low. Everybody knows we have one job to do.”

And they learned to face anything with a schedule that began with 11 consecutive road games. They didn’t play at home until Jan. 8. By the way, Tuesday was Texas Southern’s third win the past four NCAA tournaments. “I think that speaks volumes for us and the tradition we’re trying to build there,” Jones said. “It’s no fluke.”

But about having to now play Kansas.

“We’re men just like them. We put our shoes on like them, pants, shirt,” Etienne said. “It’s March Madness, so madness can happen.”

And with a crowd again, too. Good opening night, for Indiana, for Texas Southern, for the tournament that has its thunder back. And now the show goes on.

2022 March Madness schedule, livestream links

Click or tap on any of the games below to be taken directly to that live stream or box score.

GAMES TIME TV CITY Venue
National Championship — Monday, April 4
No. 1 Kansas 72, No. 8 North Carolina 69 9:20 p.m. TBS New Orleans, Louisiana Caesars Superdome
RESULTS TIME NETWORK CITY SITE
First Four — Tuesday, March 15
No. 16 Texas Southern 76, No. 16 Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 67 6:40 p.m. truTV Dayton, Ohio UD Arena
No. 12 Indiana 66, No. 12 Wyoming 58 9:10 p.m. truTV Dayton, Ohio UD Arena
First Four — Wednesday, March 16
No. 16 Wright State 93, No. 16 Bryant 82 6:40 p.m. truTV Dayton, Ohio UD Arena
No. 11 Notre Dame 89, No. 11 Rutgers 87 9:10 p.m. truTV Dayton, Ohio UD Arena
First Round — Thursday, March 17
No. 11 Michigan 75, No. 6 Colorado State 63 12:15 p.m. CBS Indianapolis, Indiana Gainbridge Fieldhouse
No. 4 Providence 66, No. 13 South Dakota State 57 12:40 p.m. truTV Buffalo, New York KeyBank Center
No. 9 Memphis 64, No. 8 Boise State 53 1:45 p.m. TNT Portland, Oregon Moda Center
No. 1 Baylor 85, No. 16 Norfolk State 49 2 p.m. TBS Fort Worth, Texas Dickies Arena
No. 3 Tennessee 88, No. 14 Longwood 56 2:45 p.m. CBS Indianapolis, Indiana Gainbridge Fieldhouse
No. 12 Richmond 67,  No. 5 Iowa 63 3:10 p.m. truTV Buffalo, New York KeyBank Center
No. 1 Gonzaga 93, No. 16 Georgia State 72 4:15 p.m. TNT Portland, Oregon Moda Center
No. 8 North Carolina 95, No. 9 Marquette 63 4:30 p.m. TBS Fort Worth, Texas Dickies Arena
No. 12 New Mexico State 70, No. 5 UConn 63 6:50 p.m. TNT Buffalo, New York KeyBank Center
No. 15 Saint Peter's 85, No. 2 Kentucky 79 (OT) 7:10 p.m. CBS Indianapolis, Indiana Gainbridge Fieldhouse
No. 5 Saint Mary's (CA) 82, No. 12 Indiana 53 7:20 p.m. TBS Portland, Oregon Moda Center
No. 9 Creighton 72, No. 8 San Diego State 69 (OT) 7:27 p.m. truTV Fort Worth, Texas Dickies Arena
No. 4 Arkansas 75, No. 13 Vermont 71 9:20 p.m. TNT Buffalo, New York KeyBank Center
No. 7 Murray State 92, No. 10 San Francisco 87 (OT) 9:40 p.m. CBS Indianapolis, Indiana Gainbridge Fieldhouse
No. 4 UCLA 57, No. 13 Akron 53 9:50 p.m. TBS Portland, Oregon Moda Center
No. 1 Kansas 83, No. 16 Texas Southern 56 9:57 p.m. truTV Fort Worth, Texas Dickies Arena
First Round — Friday, March 18
No. 7 Ohio State 54, No. 10 Loyola Chicago 41  12:15 p.m. CBS Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania PPG Paints Arena
No. 2 Auburn 80, No. 15 Jacksonville State 61 12:40 p.m. truTV Greenville, South Carolina Bon Secours Wellness Arena
No. 3 Texas Tech 97, No. 14 Montana State 62 1:45 p.m. TNT San Diego, California Viejas Arena
No. 3 Purdue 78, No. 14 Yale 56 2 p.m. TBS Milwaukee, Wisconsin Fiserv Forum
No. 2 Villanova 80, No. 15 Delaware 60 2:45 p.m. CBS Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania PPG Paints Arena
No. 10 Miami (Fla.) 68, No. 7 No. 7 Southern California 66 3:10 p.m. truTV Greenville, South Carolina Bon Secours Wellness Arena
No. 11 Notre Dame 78, No. 6 Alabama 64 4:15 p.m. TNT San Diego, California Viejas Arena
No. 6 Texas 81, No. 11 Virginia Tech 73 4:30 p.m. TBS Milwaukee, Wisconsin Fiserv Forum
No. 4 Illinois 54, No. 13 Chattanooga 53 6:50 p.m. TNT Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania PPG Paints Arena
No. 2 Duke 78, Cal State Fullerton 61 7:10 p.m. CBS Greenville, South Carolina Bon Secours Wellness Arena
No. 11 Iowa State 59, No. 6 LSU 54 7:20 p.m. TBS Milwaukee, Wisconsin Fiserv Forum
No. 1 Arizona 87, No. 16 Wright State 70 7:27 p.m. truTV San Diego, California Viejas Arena
No. 5 Houston 82, No. 12 UAB 68 9:20 p.m. TNT Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania PPG Paints Arena
No. 7 Michigan State 74, No. 10 Davidson 73 9:40 p.m. CBS Greenville, South Carolina Bon Secours Wellness Arena
No. 3 Wisconsin 67, No. 14 Colgate 60 9:50 p.m. TBS Milwaukee, Wisconsin Fiserv Forum
No. 9 TCU 69, No. 8 Seton Hall 42 9:57 p.m. truTV San Diego, California Viejas Arena
Second Round — Saturday, March 19
No. 8 North Carolina 93, No. 1 Baylor 86 (OT) 12:10 p.m. CBS Fort Worth, Texas Dickies Arena
No. 1 Kansas 79, No. 9 Creighton 72 2:40 p.m. CBS Fort Worth, Texas Dickies Arena
No. 11 Michigan 76, No. 3 Tennessee 68 5:15 p.m. CBS Indianapolis, Indiana Gainbridge Fieldhouse
No. 4 Providence 79, No. 12 Richmond 51 6:10 p.m. TNT Buffalo, New York KeyBank Center
No. 4 UCLA 72, No. 5 Saint Mary's 56 7:10 p.m. TBS Portland, Oregon Moda Center
No. 15 Saint Peter's 70, No. 7 Murray State 60 7:45 p.m. CBS Indianapolis, Indiana Gainbridge Fieldhouse
No. 4 Arkansas 53, No. 12 New Mexico State 48 8:40 p.m. TNT Buffalo, New York KeyBank Center
No. 1 Gonzaga 82, No. 9 Memphis 78 9:40 p.m. TBS Portland, Oregon Moda Center
Second Round — Sunday, March 20
No. 5 Houston 68, No. 4 Illinois 53 12:10 p.m. CBS Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania PPG Paints Arena
No. 2 Villanova 71, No. 7 Ohio State 61 2:40 p.m. CBS Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania PPG Paints Arena
No. 2 Duke 85, No. 7 Michigan State 76 5:15 p.m. CBS Greenville, South Carolina Bon Secours Wellness Arena
No. 11 Iowa State 54, No. 3 Wisconsin 49 6:10 p.m. TNT Milwaukee, Wisconsin Fiserv Forum
No. 3 Texas Tech 59, No. 11 Notre Dame 53 7:10 p.m. TBS San Diego, California Viejas Arena
No. 10 Miami (Fla.) 79, No. 2 Auburn 61 7:45 p.m. truTV Greenville, South Carolina Bon Secours Wellness Arena
No. 3 Purdue 81, No. 6 Texas 71 8:40 p.m. TNT Milwaukee, Wisconsin Fiserv Forum
No. 1 Arizona 85, No. 9 TCU 80 (OT) 9:40 p.m. TBS San Diego, California Viejas Arena
Sweet 16 — Thursday, March 24
No. 4 Arkansas 74, No. 1 Gonzaga 68 7:09 p.m. CBS San Francisco, California Chase Center
No. 2 Villanova 63, No. 11 Michigan 55 7:29 p.m. TBS San Antonio, Texas AT&T Center
No. 2 Duke 78, No. 3 Texas Tech 73 9:39 p.m. CBS San Francisco, California Chase Center
No. 5 Houston 72, No. 1 Arizona 60 9:59 p.m. TBS San Antonio, Texas AT&T Center
Sweet 16 — Friday, March 25
No. 15 Saint Peter's 67, No. 3 Purdue 64 7:09 p.m. CBS Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Wells Fargo Center
No. 1 Kansas 66, No. 4 Providence 61 7:29 p.m. TBS Chicago, Illinois United Center
No. 8 North Carolina 73, No. 4 UCLA 66 9:39 p.m. CBS Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Wells Fargo Center
No. 10 Miami (Fla.) 70, No. 11 Iowa State 56 9:59 p.m. TBS Chicago, Illinois United Center
Elite Eight —  Saturday, March 26
No. 2 Villanova 50, No. 5 Houston 44 6:09 p.m. TBS San Antonio, Texas AT&T Center
No. 2 Duke 78, No. 4 Arkansas 69 8:49 p.m. TBS San Francisco, California Chase Center
Elite Eight — Sunday, March 27
No. 1 Kansas 76, No. 10 Miami (Fla.) 50 2:20 p.m. CBS Chicago, Illinois United Center
No. 8 North Carolina 69, No. 15 Saint Peter's 49 5:05 p.m. CBS Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Wells Fargo Center
Final Four — Saturday, April 2
No. 1 Kansas 81, No. 2 Villanova 65 6:09 p.m. TBS New Orleans, Louisiana Caesars Superdome
No. 8 North Carolina 81, No. 2 Duke 77 8:49 p.m. TBS New Orleans, Louisiana Caesars Superdome

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