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Brad Davison’s leadership has been crucial for Wisconsin Basketball

By Lucas Valind

MADISON, WISCONSIN - DECEMBER 08: Brad Davison #34 talks with Greg Gard Head Coach of the Wisconsin Badgers during the second half against the Indiana Hoosiers at Kohl Center on December 08, 2021 in Madison, Wisconsin. Badgers defeated the Hoosiers 64-59. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
MADISON, WISCONSIN - DECEMBER 08: Brad Davison #34 talks with Greg Gard Head Coach of the Wisconsin Badgers during the second half against the Indiana Hoosiers at Kohl Center on December 08, 2021 in Madison, Wisconsin. Badgers defeated the Hoosiers 64-59. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) /
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Yes, Wisconsin Basketball still has Brad Davison.

Much to the delight of Badgers fans and also to the displeasure of opposing fans, Davison opted to return this season with an extra year of athletic eligibility, granted by the NCAA due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Davison has been a player that the Badgers team has rallied behind for the past few seasons. Early on in his Badgers career, it was clear that Davison was going to be one of those players that would be a key presence on the court and in the locker room. Davison knows that he has had to be a leader for Wisconsin this season, and it has been crucial to the team’s success early on in the season.

Brad Davison’s leadership has been crucial for Wisconsin Basketball

Brad Davison has been the leader that Wisconsin Basketball has needed this season.

A lot of attention has been drawn to the tremendous play of Johnny Davis early on, and rightfully so. As important as the play of Davis has been, the leadership that Davison has provided to this young Badgers team is right up there as well.

All but a couple of the players that have been used in the Badgers main rotation this season have had very limited college experience. Greg Gard has done a tremendous job of developing the team and getting them to play a lot more maturely than where their experience levels would normally have them at. Gard’s great coaching can also be accompanied by Davison being used as a type of on-court coach.

During the games, Davison is frequently seen having conversations with either individual players or the Badgers team as a whole. Davison being there to point out things that Gard may have missed or giving pointers that players with his kind of experience have picked up on is huge.

In addition to his role as an on-court coach, Davison knows when it is time for him to step up during the game. When the team is struggling, and they need a bucket or a quick run to gain back some momentum, Davison has been the guy that has been there to shoulder that load for the team.

There have been a few occasions where Davison has gone on a solo scoring run to give the team a push. A notable example of this was December 1st against Georgia Tech, where he scored 10 out of 12 points for the Badgers mid-way through the second half to give the team a 10-point cushion.

Davison’s ability to take over games when the team needs a spark has been huge for the Badgers this season. It’s hard to imagine that they would be having the same level of success without him.

Davison appears to be a natural-born leader, and that is what he has been this season for Wisconsin. It is no surprise to know that coaching is likely in Davison’s future. He is already practicing for that role, working with some of his young Badgers teammates.

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