LOS ANGELES Traevon Jackson would sit down by himself, play some relaxing music and lose himself in the future, to a day when he was back with his teammates, making an NCAA Tournament run.

I imagined being in the Staples Center, imagined it being this time right now, coming into a certain time of the game, doing certain moves, he said. Being part of it, going to the Final Four, doing all these types of things.

He wont have to imagine it Thursday night.

Out since breaking his right foot against Rutgers on Jan. 11, Wisconsins 6-foot-2 senior guard said 100 percent he will return Thursday night at Staples Center when top-seeded Wisconsin meets No. 4 North Carolina in the West Region semifinals.

Whatever happens, Ill just be ready, he said. Its their decision of when I go out there. I just have to be ready for any moment. Ive been playing this game for too long to have nervousness on the court. Its a joy to back on the court.

Jackson, a stout defender and penetrator, actually was cleared by doctors before the NCAA Tournament and began practicing last week, but didnt feel confident enough in the foot to come back. It was difficult to watch, knowing his career could be over without getting back on the court, particularly in the round-of-32s narrow victory over Oregon. But he felt it was the right thing to do.

It is unknown how much the senior guard will play. He likely will come off the bench, and spell starting guards Bronson Koenig and Josh Gasser. Jackson said he plans to play with his same aggressiveness and tenacity. He doesnt expect to hold anything back.

Traevon Jackson, who broke his right foot, is returning to Wisconsins lineup in Thursdays Sweet 16 matchup against North Carolina.Photo: Getty Images

Im here to help. Im here to be an addition to the team, he said. Thats all I can do. I think I can help out a lot. Im just happy to be part of the team.

Before he got injured, Jackson was averaging 9.4 points, 2.9 assists and 1.1 steals per game, down slightly from his junior year. In his absence, Koenig performed well, which he partly credited to Jackson serving as his personal coach.

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Wisconsins Jackson, injured in January, to play in Sweet 16