After missing the 68-64 double
overtime win over the Tigers and the
73-69 victory at Boston College, Jack-
son rejoined the team Feb. 17 follow-
ing a six-day absence. In his return, he
scored a career-high 17 points while
fueling a Notre Dame comeback that
fell just short (71-64) against Miami
Feb. 19. He scored just 12 points in the
final four regular-season games and
saw only seven minutes of action at
North Carolina March 3.
Brey, who worked with the young
guard on the team's practice court
daily while Jackson was away from
practice and games, said he and the
freshman communicate better now.
"That is probably objective No. 1
once the season ends," Brey said.
"We've been communicating more
than we did before he was away from
the team."
With senior point guard Eric At-
kins' upcoming departure from the
program, Jackson's development in
regards to running the show becomes
a critical storyline for the 2014-15
team.
"I think there's a process here,"
Brey said. "Just because he's a Mc-
Donald's All-American doesn't mean
he was a finished product coming in
here. Fortunately, I think he knows
that; but learning how to — there's
always a great athlete there — be a
guard, learning how to make guard
decisions, and quarterbacking a bit."
Jackson has not been made avail-
able to the media since the two-game
hiatus. ✦
After a two-game absence due to "poor academic habits," freshman guard Demetrius Jackson scored a
career-high 17 points in a 71-64 loss at Miami Feb. 19.
PHOTO BY JOE RAYMOND
