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Published Aug 23, 2017
3-2-1: Reflecting on Wisconsin's trip to New Zealand and Australia
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Jon McNamara  •  BadgerBlitz
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After Wisconsin's 4-1 performance in international play, we reexamine our 3-2-1 feature, where we tell you three things we learned, ask two questions and make one bold prediction.

1 - Brad Davison will play a key role as a true freshman

Maybe the biggest takeaway from Wisconsin's five-game tour - especially after his 23-point performance in the final contest - was just how comfortable true freshman Brad Davison looked against international competition.

In a win over the Sydney Kings, the 6-foot-3, 190-pound combo guard went 7 for 12 from the field and also showed the ability to get to basket and finish with contact. As Jim Polzin wrote, Davison scored eight consecutive points, including 3-pointers on back-to-back possessions, in a win over the Kings.

"My teammates did a great job of finding me in open spots and I did my best to create open opportunities for everyone on the floor," Davison told uwbadgers.com. "I've been working on my shot this week, so it felt good to see some go in."

Davison's ability to play both guard positions makes him even more valuable. In Game 5, he started opposite point guard D'Mitrik Trice and then ran the offense when Trice went to the bench. Davison could very well be UW's sixth man this season.

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2 - ... so will the other two members of Wisconsin's 2017 recruiting class

Davison was more consistent, but the two other true freshmen - Kobe King and Nathan Reuvers - showed flashes as well.

In a loss to Melbourne United, King, a 6-foot-4, 175-pound wing, scored 18 points. The former player of the year from inside the state went 6-for-8 from the field and 6-for-7 at the foul line, with five rebounds.

Against the Kings, Reuvers, a 6-foot-10, 220-pound power forward, scored 1o points and grabbed six rebounds. More importantly, he showed a willingness to mix it up in the paint against stronger and more mature competition.

All three freshmen should be contributors this season in some capacity.

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