The Touching Story of Davis' Opportunity for Fifth Year at Michigan
3/6/2020 10:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball, Features
By Steve Kornacki
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Austin Davis finally got into the mix as a senior, making important game contributions after sitting out his freshman year as a redshirt and playing sparingly the next two seasons for the University of Michigan.
However, a lunch he had with Juwan Howard, David and Meredith Kaplan Men's Basketball Head Coach, provided hope that maybe, just maybe, his career would continue in 2020-21.
Then, prior to practice two days before Thursday night's (March 5) home finale at Crisler Center, and what turned out to be an 82-58 win over Nebraska, Davis received some special news.
"Coach (Howard) and I went out to lunch a month and a half or two months ago and we discussed coming back and what that would look like," said Davis. Then the season took off and we were just focusing on basketball.
"Then I was shooting before practice and Coach called me over."
Howard asked, "Do you remember that breakfast we had?"
Davis replied, "Oh, yeah, absolutely."
"Do you still want to come back?" asked the coach.
"Absolutely," said the player.
Howard concluded: "Well, we've got a spot for you."
Davis said, "I gave him a big old hug, and he gave me one back. I'm really looking forward to another year. That was tremendous."
Howard, who replaced John Beilein in May, was all smiles afterward.
"I am definitely excited about Austin coming back," Howard said. "That makes two of us. He gave me the biggest hug, and that was great."
Davis' parents, Marsha (Oakland University) and Eric (Adrian College), also played college basketball and were thrilled with the news.
"My parents were super excited," said Davis. "My mom shed a couple tears over the phone, and it's truly a blessing for my whole family. We all love this place."
Davis didn't become a game-day factor until this season, having scored only 44 points over two seasons before tallying 115 in 23 games as center Jon Teske's primary backup. Davis had 11 points -- making all four shots from the field and all three free throws -- along with three rebounds against Ohio State. He had eight points and three rebounds in 10 ultra-productive minutes against Iowa, and career highs of eight rebounds and three blocks against Presbyterian.
"My goal was to step into more of a role," said Davis, "and I'm very thankful for that. Going out and playing and fighting with my teammates each game is an incredible experience."
He'd joined the party on game days after relying on making his contribution as a practice player over three previous seasons. Davis is averaging 5.0 points, 2.7 rebounds and 10.7 minutes in 2019-20. He's rammed home his share of dunks for a .684 field-goal percentage, and had a five-game stretch where he made 21 of 26 shots (.807).
What enabled Davis, a 6-foot-10, 250-pound power player with quick feet, to make an impact in his fourth season?
"I think it's been a lot of things that have come together," said Davis. "The style of game has changed a little bit from Coach B's coaching staff. We're playing through our 'bigs' more and being aggressive in the post.
Davis credited not only Howard but assistants Howard Eisley, Phil Martelli and Saddi Washington.
"They've really given me a ton of confidence," said Davis. "They work one-on-one with me, and that's given me that confidence. It's really just a lot of hard work paying off in the weight room in the summer and things like that. And my teammates have always been so supportive even though there were times when I wasn't a big contributor. That's been a huge factor of it, too."
Davis, from Onsted, Michigan, came in together with three Ohioans: co-captains Zavier Simpson and Teske and guard Ibi Watson, now starting for No. 3-ranked Dayton. Davis was going to be honored with them after beating the Cornhuskers, but now his framed maize No. 51 jersey will go into storage for 12 months.
"What?" asked Simpson after Tuesday's practice. "You're coming back? But you're going to celebrate with us Thursday, right?"
Davis smiled and said the conclusion to his final season was one year away.
"C'mon, man," Simpson said with a smile. "You're celebrating with us. You should celebrate with us."
That response meant a lot to Davis.
"You know, it's bittersweet," said Davis. "I couldn't have asked for two better guys to come in with back in that July four years ago. Jon was my roommate that freshman year in the dorms, and we've really grown. Him and Zavier, those are my brothers. I couldn't be more thankful for that.
"I'm excited to see where each of their careers takes them. We went to a Final Four, we grew through all these experiences together. We've played in championship games together, and the people you go through that with, you form a bond with them."
They won Big Ten Tournament championships in 2017 and 2018 and played in the 2019 conference title game. Two years ago in San Antonio, they beat Loyola-Chicago in a Final Four semifinal before losing the championship game to Villanova.
Now, Davis has become a bigger part of the big games for No. 25-ranked Michigan (19-11, 10-9 Big Ten).
"I'm looking forward to it," Davis said of the postseason tournaments. "We're looking forward to it, all of us. That's what we've been preparing all year for, taking it one day at a time, but knowing that end goal. We're very excited and ready to make that run."
Davis scored seven points with four rebounds against Nebraska and twice scored on two-handed dunks with assists going to Simpson. He also set up perfectly to tip in a missed three-pointer by Isaiah Livers.
Afterward, he also became a special part of "Senior Night" emotions.
When Simpson came out of the game to a standing ovation and made his way down the bench to accept congratulations, Davis lifted him like a sack of potatoes.
"He picked me up and I was dangling," said Simpson, smiling and shaking his head. "I'm not a guy who wants to be picked up, but he's my roommate, so I'll give him a pass. It's Senior Night."
Davis (back left) and Simpson encourage Teske during his postgame Senior Day speech
When Teske let the tears flow while thanking his parents and other family members for "pushing" him through the "highs and lows" of his career during the ceremony, it was Davis who first put an arm around Teske and encouraged him to continue.
"That was a powerful moment," said Davis. "We've made a ton of memories together."
What has he valued most about Jon and Zavier?
"They're both tremendous leaders," said Davis. "They're both great basketball players. They're both great guys with great personalities.
"With Jon, I think it's work ethic and staying focused and always being a great team guy. He was always doing the dirty work on defense and making stops down there to become the player he is now. 'X,' we describe him as a bulldog, but that's what he is. He's a tough-nosed dude and a great leader, a very vocal leader. Jon leads us much more by example but is a great leader as well."
Davis will become a bigger leader next season, when an elite recruiting class that includes highly touted big men arrives.
"Absolutely," said Davis. "Going back to Jon and 'X'. Them departing leaves a very big hole in the leadership, and I know I won't be able to take it over by myself. But I'm confident that collectively, as a unit, everybody will step in and we'll fill in for those guys."
He also wanted to credit Beilein, who was in the stands with his family for this game for the first time since leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers as head coach.
"Coach B was a great guy," said Davis. "He supported and cared for every one of us. He brought me here, and I'm very thankful for that. He took a chance on a slow guy from a little country town (population under 1,000) that wasn't really known for basketball. I'm glad that he could be back tonight."
Davis was runner-up for Michigan Mr. Basketball and scored 1,687 points at tiny Onsted Community High, located a one-hour drive west and a world away from Ann Arbor in rural Lenawee County. "Big Country" was the Associated Press Class B Player of the Year in 2015 and 2016.
He was Academic All-Big Ten in 2018 and 2019. Davis is in Michigan's School of Kinesiology and plans to enter a master's program in movement science and eventually a doctoral physical therapy program.
Davis, on getting a bonus year, said, "I am still in the state of shock -- just so thankful. After the last three years, not having a really big role, and this has been a heck of a year in a year with a lot of changes. We've gotten comfortable, though, and I'm very thankful for that change. I think that's been a big part of what I've done this year.
"I love Michigan, and I had it in my heart to be here if it was possible. This is an incredible place and where I wanted to be. Another year at this university, with this staff and these teammates, I couldn't possibly turn it down."
