UW’s Davison will get some ‘love’
MADISON – Greg Gard expects Minnesota fans will be eager to serenade Wisconsin guard Brad Davison when he returns to his home state.
“I am sure they will be very innovative in terms of welcoming him home,” Gard said with a wry smile.
UW (13-9, 6-5 Big Ten) faces the Gophers (11-10, 5-6) at 8 p.m. Wednesday in Minneapolis.
The Gophers' student section for years serenaded UW's Bo Ryan with the chant: “(Expletive) Bo Ryan!” After Ryan retired early in the 2015-16 season, the chant morphed into the generic: “(Expletive) the Badgers!”
Minnesota fans apparently don't yet loathe Gard, who is 3-0 against the Gophers in Minneapolis and 5-1 overall.
Davison is set to return to the lineup after serving a one-game suspension handed out by the Big Ten. The suspension came after Davison was called for a Flagrant 1 foul in UW's 68-62 loss at Iowa.
Davison was assessed the flagrant foul when he wrapped his left arm around the leg of Iowa's Connor McCaffery, who was setting a screen. Davison appeared to hit McCaffery in or near the groin area.
Some Minnesota fans used social media to criticize Davison after UW victories over the Gophers two seasons ago in Madison and last season in Minneapolis.
Those fans claimed Davison tried to trip Nate Mason in Madison and Jordan Murphy in Minneapolis.
The officials did not call a foul on either play, however, and the Big Ten office did not levy any penalties.
Davison is averaging 11.0 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 2.0 steals per game in three games against the Gophers.
The Badgers rallied to defeat Minnesota in overtime two seasons ago and the teams split two games last season, with the road team winning each game.
Wisconsin 73, Minnesota 63 (OT): Davison contributed 19 points, four rebounds, two assists and four steals to help the Badgers rally on Feb. 19, 2018.
Davison hit 5 of 8 three-pointers and 6 of 13 shots overall. The Badgers outscored the Gophers, 22-7, over the last 9 minutes 8 seconds, the final 4:08 of regulation and the five-minute overtime.
Minnesota 59, Wisconsin 52: Davison was limited to four points, three rebounds, one assist and one steal in 30 minutes in a home loss last season. Davison missed his lone three-point attempt and hit 2 of 5 shots overall. UW shot just 23.1% in the first half in falling behind, 29-14. The Badgers pulled within 49-47 on a basket by D'Mitrik Trice with 2:05 left but the Gophers responded with a basket and three consecutive steals to spark a 6-0 run.
Wisconsin 56, Minnesota 51: Davison contributed 10 points, one rebound, one assist and one steal as UW won the rematch last season in Minneapolis. He hit just 1 of 5 three-pointers and 2 of 12 shots overall. Trice's three-pointer with 1:44 left gave UW a six-point lead and Davison hit two free throws with 12 seconds left to push the lead to seven.
“Brad is a really smart, sharp guy,” Gard said when asked about Davison's return home this week. “He has been there. He has played at Minnesota before.”
Davison was on the UW bench Saturday as the Badgers took control early against No. 14 Michigan State and then had to fend off several runs in the second half to hold on for a 64-63 victory.
Davison was not available for interviews Monday but shared his feelings with UWbadgers.com.
“I got a little glimpse of what Coach Gard feels sometimes,” Davison said. “I want to be a college basketball coach someday, too. It was a good experience, but I'm definitely looking forward to getting back out there and competing with my team.”