New Mexico lands UConn transfer Vance Jackson

New Mexico needed a major win on the transfer market, and they got one on Monday when Vance Jackson told ESPN he committed to the Lobos.

Jackson comes to New Mexico after one season at UConn, where he averaged 8.1 points and 3.8 rebounds per game, while shooting nearly 50 percent from three in conference games.

Jackson will sit out next season and have three years of eligibility remaining. He will help fill a roster depleted by transfers, including that of leading scorer Elijah Brown, who is headed to Oregon.

"I love the staff and feel like Coach [Paul] Weir and I have a great connection," Jackson told ESPN. "He's a young coach and I feel like I can talk to him."

"New Mexico is an incredible place," he added. "They have incredible fans and The Pit is one of the best places to play."

The AAC All-Rookie team member figured to play a major role for the Huskies next year had he stayed. Rumored disagreement, however, between Jackson’s father and head coach Kevin Ollie may have been a factor in his decision to transfer.

When Jackson finally takes the court, the Lobos will get an established offensive player who can catch fire from three. And as his father explained when detailing Jackson’s departure from UConn, he can do more than that. Jackson Sr. told the New London Day:

"Vance just knows he can do a lot more with the basketball," Vance Jackson Sr. said. "UConn is just more associated with guards and the guards create for everybody. ... I just feel like it's limiting his abilities by just sitting in the corner ready to shoot. They don't have a plan to change anything for him. Vance can get to the basket a lot. He just wasn't allowed to play like that."

"... He needs to be in a position to utilize his skill level."

Jackson had previously visited TCU, Washington, San Diego State, and Rutgers.