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Brey, however, notes that he saw progress from Jackson during the team's foreign tour in Italy in August — a de facto preseason that allowed the team 22 extra sessions in the gym in all. "The first thing that helps is Atkins is not around," Brey said. "Demetrius had the ball, and he started all four games. We found a simple role for him to start with here now that he's a main guy. Pressure the ball and make good decisions, and quarterback our team. "Don't worry about shooting or scor- ing or your jump shot. That will all hap- pen. I thought his ball pressure was the key." Overall, Jackson is a more confident version of himself this year, which he credits in part to the academic difficul- ties he faced in February. "It's very humbling," he said. "It grounded me and let me know I needed to work hard on and off the court. All the lessons I learned last year, I applied them to the summer and had a good summer. Hopefully I'll continue to do that in the fall." Jackson admitted feeling frustrated during much of the 2013-14 year, but he said it was mostly directed at himself rather than the university or the basket- ball program itself. "I know I'm a better student than that," he said. "I was just frustrated with myself that I wasn't working to the best of my ability. I took that lesson and that struggle and it helped me become a better person and student." While Brey's offenses typically utilize a pair of guards as ball handlers on the court at once — Jackson, Grant, Vasturia and freshman Matt Farrell could all do so this season — Jackson feels his role is clearer heading into camp this time around. "Part of that was immaturity," he said. "A year of experience definitely helped me mature as a basketball player to understand that I don't always need the ball in my hands to contribute. I can do other things also. I just tried to apply those lessons." One constant during Brey's tenure has been having a productive point guard directing the free-flowing of- fense. All eyes are now on Jackson to see whether he can become the next in line. "One of the duties of the point guard is to direct the team on the floor," Jack- son said. "I've been doing my best to be more vocal and to be more of a leader on and off the court. "I learned a lot last year watching and playing. When I go out to the court or in the classroom, I try to use those lessons learned to be a better basketball player and a better person." ✦ Recruiting Update Notre Dame led for La Lumiere (Ind.) La Porte five-star combo guard Jalen Coleman from the spring through his official visit to campus the weekend of Sept. 6. That, however, quickly changed once three-star guard Rex Pflueger of Santa Ana, Calif., committed to the Irish Sept. 11. With two scholarship spots remaining in the 2015 haul, the Notre Dame staff was content to welcome Pflueger and Coleman and hold off on a big man for another year. Once Pflueger announced his inten- tions, however, the Irish and Coleman began to drift away.