Helping establish Roman’s dominance early on was the play up front of Jackson, who set the tone with his effort and physicality in the post and on the glass. As has become expected over the course of a standout four-year career, the skilled and high-IQ post carved out space with regularity before finishing with a unique blend of power and touch. Jackson also showed his IQ and passing feel with a series of high-level dimes to cutters out of the high post. The tenor of the game didn’t require a fully dominant individual effort, but still offered a window into the value Jackson will bring to the Patriot League for Lafayette.

It can be easy to overlook Jackson as he’s largely been doing what he does as the centerpiece of Roman’s offense up front from the moment he stepped on a varsity floor as a freshman. His game doesn’t generate highlights, but it’s consistently effective in generating wins with his blend of skill, physicality, and IQ on both ends. The Lafayette commit coasted to a 19-point, 12-rebound effort in what’s become a regular occurrence for him on the Palestra stage. Known as a post player, he showed his expanding ability to take defenders off the dribble along with his advanced sense for making decisions across the offense. A hand-in-glove fit in the Patriot League, he’ll look to cap a storied career with a third straight PCL title on Sunday.

This Lafayette College commit recorded a double double of 16 points and 13 rebounds during Roman’s win over Archbishop Spalding (MD). Jackson dominated the paint at both ends. On offense he scored via post ups, dives to the rim and the offensive glass. His interior footwork looks much more polished this season. Jackson’s up and under as well as pivot moves made him unstoppable in close. Defensively, Jackson protected the rim and cleaned the glass.