Michigan Basketball: Austin Davis is moving on and he’ll be missed

Over the years, Austin Davis got steadily better as a Michigan basketball player but now, even though he could return for another season, he won’t be.

Chris Balas of The Wolverine wrote an article about Davis and his journey with the Wolverines and in it, Davis talks about moving on from the program, which means he won’t return for a sixth season.

"“Five years is enough, and Davis has decided to move on to his next adventure. He does it having been a valuable back-up the last two seasons under head coach Juwan Howard, whose emphasis on getting the ball inside added to Davis’ value.”"

This isn’t a surprise. Davis wasn’t expected back after spending a fifth season with the Wolverines following a redshirt year back in 2016-17.

But back when Juwan Howard took over, it was hard to see Davis ever having a role on the Michigan basketball team. During his first two seasons playing, he saw the floor in just 41 games and averaged 1.2 points per game and 1.0.

Then, Howard arrived and everything changed.

Of course, Davis had a lot to do with it. He busted his butt and turned himself into one of the best low-post scorers in the Big Ten.

Davis averaged 5.4 points per game this season and shot 70.5 percent from the field, which came a year after scoring 4.9 points per game and shooting 69 percent from the field.

Here’s what Davis said about his time with Juwan to Balas:

"“To step into a different role in coach Howard’s system … he’s been a tremendous, tremendous mentor helping in every aspect of my life, well beyond just basketball. I really, truly can say he loves each and every one of us like family. He’s always willing to help us out in any way needed with a steady voice. It’s maybe not what you always want to hear, but what you need to hear.”"

From this point on, Davis will look to possibly play overseas, and with the way he scores the ball down low and rebounds, it wouldn’t shock me if he got that opportunity.

For Michigan basketball fans everywhere, Big Country became a favorite and he’s one of the guys I’ll miss most from the 2020-21 team.

As for the future, it leaves the Wolverines without their backup center. Hunter Dickinson is expected to return but there is no sure candidate to be the backup five, although Brandon Johns and incoming freshman Moussa Diabate are two top candidates.

That could be a spot where Michigan looks to make an addition in the portal, especially if Eli Brooks comes back.