Exit Austin Davis
Michigan's backup center won't be taking a sixth year here, per a Rivals article that doesn't have a good pull quote to that effect. Davis doesn't know what's next, but it should definitely be transferring to a Horizon League school and shooting 80% on giant usage en route to league POY.
At Michigan, Davis's playing time was likely to be curtailed. He averaged about 10 MPG in the games he was available for, racking up buckets underneath and also being, uh, present on defense:
That's actually an improvement from the last time I checked, when Davis had a whopping 13-point 2P% D deficit. Even if Moussa Diabate is going to be much less likely to put a post defender in a blender, he's going to be at least in Dickinson's ballpark as a defender, and that'll be enough to relegate Davis to the deep bench.
That said, Davis was a fun guy to have around. When John Beilein took him the universal reaction was "…why?" and he still managed to shape himself into a solid bench player in his upperclass years. There was a satisfaction in seeing Davis get in the post against literally anyone and get up a good shot. Dude hit 70% from the floor over his 150-some shots as a junior and senior, which is an incredible conversion rate given Davis's Bill-Laimbeer-but-maimed lift. I will particularly remember back-to-back possessions against Luka Garza in which he D-ed up the national POY and then put him in a post torture chamber on the other end.
Austin Davis putting a Chinese food menu’s worth of post moves on Luka Garza is not something I saw coming in this Iowa/Michigan game.
— Walker Carey (@walkerRcarey) February 26, 2021
Godspeed.
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Best of luck, AD. Thanks for all the times you gave us, hope your next stop is as good as this one was.
Austin Davis was a bucket
Absolutely this. He clearly worked his ass off during his time at M. He should be beyond proud of the progress he made.
Not the most physically gifted, but definitely one of the most savvy players on the roster.
i'm honestly super-happy for him. he wasn't...oh, how should i say this...always embraced by mgoboard, but busted his ass, got great coaching, and turned into a quality big ten player.
i, too, look forward to seeing him put any number of 3-star centers into a blender for a mid-major then being featured in next year's tournament coverage as a "sleeper to watch," followed by six years in europe, before joining juwan's staff as a grad assistant for the three-time-defending national champions.
Good Luck to Austin!
He was such an improved player the last couple of years. I am going to miss Big Country!
He'll be missed in a big way. All the best.
I remembered him getting blasted by a lot of peeps when he committed to Michigan early on. He dreamed of playing for Michigan and was able to live out his dream. He worked himself into a useful backup C on a top 5 team which is more than anyone can say in their lifetime. Plus he was able to get both bachelor and master degrees in 5 years which is amazing especially that he's a student-athlete. Kudos to him for doing it and still ball out for Michigan.
I’ll miss Austin, he brought effort and unselfishness every time he stepped on the court. I never called him Big Country, as that Reeves kid from Okie State owned that appellation. He’ll always be Jughead to me. Those ears are the real deal.
Honestly this is sad. Was really hoping that he could stick around in a kinda player coach capacity because he does seem like he's really helped Hunter improve a lot
I'll miss him, but it's a bit greedy to ask that a guy come back after spending five years here already.
Yeah, but only used for two. He should have been playing over Teske.
Godspeed, Big Country. We'll always have your reverse lay-ups upon which to look back fondly.
I agree with Brian. I hope he transfers to a mid-major and gets 30 mpg & 15 ppg. He deserves to start for someone.
If I were a mid-major coach with a lack of big-men I would be lining up to transfer him in.
Obviously he would dominate anyway cause he's giant, but he's the dude you absolutely would HATE to guard in an old-person pickup game. Incredible footwork and post-moves would be infuriating to guard.
totally. my ribs are hurting just imagining defending him in the low post. elbows, shoulders, hooks...old school, baby.
Going to miss Big Country!
Hail and farewell, Big Country!
Count me as one who is very sad by this news. Loved watching him play and privately hoped he would somehow stick around another year. His post moves were a pleasure to watch. Beilein nailed it in finding him but will say he didn't effectively use him. Great player.
Hard working Austin Davis, like Zack Novak, represents the best of Michigan basketball. He may not be an elite 5 star but he is a great example for all to follow. He was a pleasure to watch and root for.
Great Michigan career Austin and congrats on your accomplishments here.
Just for fun...
Who wins one on one, senior Austin Davis or Senior Jordan Morgan? Has to be Davis, right?
Unless they are starting with the ball in the post instead of out past the 3 point line, I would take Morgan.
April 14th, 2021 at 10:01 PM ^
Idk man - I remember on one possession against Wisconsin, Reuvers actually did a decent job of fighting for position and forced Davis to catch about 18 feet from the basket. He still backed him down for an easy lefty hook.
Dude gave us some serious juice off the bench, best of luck Big Country.
It was awesome to root for a fellow Wildcat on my favorite basketball team. What I most admire in the kid is the complete lack of drama with Austin. Head down and go to work seems to be his philosophy, I'm guessing that helped the team more than his 10 mpg accounted for on paper.
I wish the kid all the best.
I will readily admit to being a basketball idiot, but I always felt like he deserved more minutes given he tended to score when you gave him the ball.
I'll be checking out some of his games wherever he lands.
April 14th, 2021 at 10:10 PM ^
Super bummed.....but not surprised.
Good luck to ya, Austin. Go crush it somewhere!!
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