On Sunday, Maple Grove’s Brad Davison Took Over The College Basketball World

Wisconsin’s Brad Davison (34) drives against Michigan State’s Joshua Langford (1) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Feb. 25, 2018, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)

For a brief period of time on Sunday afternoon, the U-G-L-Y reports surrounding the FBI investigation into NCAA corruption wasn’t the main topic surrounding college basketball. The conversations that include Sean Miller discussing the $100k DeAndre Ayton received to attend Arizona took a back seat to a scrappy Freshman from Maple Grove.

If you don’t know, now you know – Brad Davison can ball.

.@BadgerMBB‘s Brad Davison is a WARRIOR.

He left the game to pop his shoulder back into place, then did this… pic.twitter.com/ChrkOmCung

— CBS Sports CBB (@CBSSportsCBB) February 25, 2018

After that bucket, over the next two minutes and five seconds of play, Davison made two more jump shots.

When an average human stubs their toe, he or she reacts as if the world is going to end (and that tourette syndrome is much more widespread than originally thought). When Brad Davison dislocates his shoulder, like he has many times this season, the gritty athlete hammer-jacks that thing back into its socket and gets back to business. Apparently, his business on Sunday including dropping 30 points (10-19 FG).

As for his freshman season as a whole; Minnesota’s 2016 Player of the Year in football (QB: Davison can sling the hell out of the pigskin) has been more than solid for Bucky. That’s evident by his 11.5 PPG. However, it was this weekend’s performance when people across America became cognizant of the Maple Grove High School alum.

Watching this @michiganstateu vs @UWBadgers game. This is one special performance by this kid Brad Davison. #Gutsy

— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) February 25, 2018

Davison’s previous career high of 20 points came against the Badger’s in-state basketball rival, Marquette. He also dropped 19 in last Monday’s OT defeat of our Gophers.

Speaking of the Maroon and Gold, let’s quickly touch on Brad Davison’s recruiting process:

Outside of the Badgers, included in the 4.0 GPA Crimson student-athlete’s final collegiate options; were Minnesota, Michigan, Butler and a little place called Stanford.

Anywho, Davison’s relationship with the Wisconsin coaches dated back to his 9th-grade year. He cited “getting to know the coaching staffs on a deeper level” as a big part in his choosing Madison over Minneapolis.

If you want to blame coach Richard Pitino for that one, please remember that fellow freshman guard, Isaiah Washington, was a more coveted recruit. If you want to blame Brad Davison for that one, I view that stance as absurd. My despise of Bucky is as strong as the next Minnesotan guy/gal, but still.

It’s a random Saturday in February and I’m all pissed off about the axe. We need to get that bad boy back. #RTB

— Johnny Minnesota (@TheJohnnyMN) February 10, 2018

Barring a Big Ten Tournament miracle, the Gophers won’t be dancing in March. One of the bright notes (if you want to call it that), from the Minnesota’s dumpster fire of a season, is that we don’t have to worry about watching Wisco advance through a couple rounds of the NCAA tournament either. For the rest of Davison’s career, as long as his accolades aren’t causing that big ole rat Bucky to one up Goldy, then I’ll be in his corner (Davison flag in one hand — Gophers flag in the other).

Hopefully, moving forward, he can get that shoulder thing figured out. On the opposite side of the fence, from a basketball fans’ perspective, it does make watching the hometown product that much more entertaining.

*gets hit by a car*

Brad Davison: I’m ok

— Badgers Digitals (@BadgersDigitals) February 25, 2018

Johnny Minnesota @TheJohnnyMN
Minnesota Sports Fan MinnesotaSportsFan.com