The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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48 THE WOLVERINE JANUARY 2021 Austin Davis' Key Role Doesn't End With Injury Fifth-year senior center Austin Davis' final season in a Michigan uniform took a major blow when plantar fasciitis claimed the 6-10, 250-pounder indefinitely. He's still far from done helping the Wolverines. Davis had already assumed the role of mentoring rookie Hunter Dickinson — teaching him the lay of the land in the Big Ten and beyond. The veteran now enjoys a dual focus: rehabbing and doing everything he can to spur on his re- placement in the starting lineup. The head coach obviously appreciates it. Juwan Howard's Twitter feed featured a shot of Davis putting his arm around Dickinson, just before the latter retook the court against Penn State. Davis, in animated fashion, delivered specific instruc- tion to the rookie. Howard noted: "Now THIS is what I was talking about Big Au … Leaders Lead … Brothers Bond … #FAMILY" Dickinson deeply appreciates the attitude and the actions. "It was definitely heartbreaking, not just for only Austin, but the entire team," Dickinson said of the injury. "He's a guy who is loved by everybody in the build- ing — players, managers, coaches. Everybody loves Austin. He just brings so much good energy and good vibes to the team, it's hard not to like him. "Especially for me, being a big man, he's brought me under his wing. For him to be a fifth-year senior, it would have been easy for him to just go out there and try to suck up all the minutes and play for himself, but he's really brought me under his wing and taught me everything he knows. "I'm so grateful for him." Davis responded in kind, when told of Dickinson's comments. "That means a lot, for him to say that," Davis said. "We've had a great rela- tionship, and he's just a tre- mendous worker. He's just gotten really comfortable in whatever situation he's put in. He's delivered whatever we've asked of him, what- ever that may be. "I see the potential and how good Hunter is. I know I focus on Hunter a lot, but he's my guy, you know? He's the future of the program. I just see what he has, and he can be, and it really inspires me to pour myself into him and pass on as much as I possibly can to him." "Austin has been the key for him," senior forward Isa- iah Livers insisted. "Austin was unselfishly coaching up a guy who potentially could take his spot. That's the kind of guy Austin Davis is. He goes down, and we're miss- ing a talent, but we still have his voice. "If Austin continues to stay in his ear … the sky's the limit for Hunter. He's a smart player, he works hard, and he just wants to win." — John Borton It wasn't the only challenge, to be sure. When you're different — and 6-10 as an eighth-grader is unde- niably different — there's always somebody with a comment. "When I went to malls, I was al- ways sticking out," the freshman re- called. "Those are things I remember." Note to U-M fans: when normalcy returns to Crisler Center, if you're ever seeking an autograph, leave the meteorological quips behind. "I always hated, 'What's the weather like up there?'" Dickinson acknowledged. "That one never was funny to me. But you kind of get used to it. People usually ask the same questions, so you kind of have your responses ready." He didn't require any responses to schoolyard bullies looking to take on the tallest. His secret weapon — humor — kept everybody laughing, instead of swinging. "No, everybody usually liked me," he admitted. "I'm kind of funny, so people always liked hanging around me." A GROWING FORCE People still do — especially so if they enjoy winning basketball games. The Wolverines are all about that, and they've quickly embraced Dick- inson's easy personality and tough presence on the court. "He's a smart kid," Livers said. "Being a freshman, and having the defensive numbers he has, the de- fensive awareness, offensive aware- ness — he's on top of it. He has a big career, big future ahead of him. "Hunter will be good. We've been in a lot of situations in practice. They put him in with the starters, just to see how it would go. The chemistry was good. "Obviously, he's still young, and he still has a lot more to learn, but it's going to be fun to see where he's at now." Senior guard Eli Brooks offered: "He has such a presence in the paint, and blocks and alters a lot of shots. I still think he can grow more in that area and be more active in the ball screen, because he's an elite-level de- fender when he does that. "He never backed down from anybody, no matter who was on the court. That's something I appreciate about him. You know he's there, ev- ery single time and ready to go." Although Davis (right) — a fifth-year senior forward — was injured in the 91-71 win over Toledo Dec. 9 and will be out indefinitely, his mentoring of Dickinson can still provide the Wolverines a boost on the court. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN