La Crosse’s Davis — 15th in the nation in scoring — leads Wisconsin vs. Illinois St. on Wed.
After missing last week’s game due to a COVID-19 outbreak, the University of Wisconsin men’s basketball team is back in action Wednesday.
At 7 p.m., the 24th-ranked Badgers (9-2) host Illinois State (8-5). The game will be on the Big Ten Network.
La Crosse native Johnny Davis leads Wisconsin in points (20.9), rebounds (6.1), assists (2.3), steals (1.6) and turnovers (1.9).
The sophomore ranks 15th in the nation in scoring. Davis averaged 7.0 points a game last season.
This season, he’s set or tied career highs in points (32), 3-pointers made (4), rebounds (9 twice) and steals (4).
Davis has scored over 15 points in every game this season — something he did once as a freshman. He’s also scored 20 or more in six of the past seven games, including the last three.
The 6-foot-5 guard is shooting 46.6% from the field and 37.8% from beyond the arc.
ISU has won four consecutive games and six of its past seven. The Redbirds, who have not played a ranked opponent, are led by junior guard Antonio Reeves, who averages 20.8 points.
The Badgers are 1-2 vs. ranked opponents this season.
- Providence, which beat a Davis-less Badgers, wasn’t ranked when it played UW, but is 21st now with an 11-1 record.
- Wisconsin beat a No. 12 Houston team that has one other loss — to No. 9 Alabama.
- Ohio State destroyed the Badgers by 18 and went from ranked 21st in that matchup two weeks ago, to 13th now.
Wisconsin had to cancel its game against George Mason due to COVID-19. The irony there is that George Mason was a last-minute fill in for the slot, after Morgan State had to cancel on UW because of a COVID-19 outbreak of its own.
TOP PHOTO: FILE – Wisconsin’s Johnny Davis (1) drives between Marquette’s Oso Ighodaro (13) and Darryl Morsell during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Madison, Wis. Davis had a game-high 25 points in Wisconsin’s 89-76 win. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)