Flagrant foul vs. Nebraska injures Wisconsin Wooden finalist Johnny Davis

A flagrant foul on Sunday left Wisconsin star Johnny Davis injured and the Badgers holding their breath ahead of the NCAA tournament.

The injury took place early in the second half of Sunday's 74-73 upset loss to Nebraska in the regular-season finale. With 17:32 remaining, Davis pushed the ball up the court in transition. He got tripped up near midcourt after tangling feet with Nebraska's Trey McGowens. Davis lost his balance as he attempted a layup, and a trailing McGowens collided over his back in the air and landed on top of him as Davis' head slammed into the basket stanchion.

Davis limped off the court and didn't return. He was eventually designated with a "lower body" injury. McGowens was assessed a flagrant foul and ejected from the game.

Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard didn't elaborate on Davis' injury, but told reporters postgame: "I'm optimistic he's going to be fine."

He also appeared to take issue with the game's officiating.

“The officials knew my thoughts, and knew them actually before it happened on some other things that I saw," Gard said. "I’ll leave it at that, and I’ll watch the replay and I’ll make the necessary phone calls."

Wisconsin has it sights on the Final Four, thanks largely to Davis, a Wooden Award finalist and projected NBA lottery draft pick averaging 20.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. Prior to Sunday's loss to the now 10-21 Cornhuskers, the Badgers were widely projected as a No. 2 seed in the NCAA tournament. That could change with Sunday's loss and Davis' injury, with a lot riding on this coming week's Big Ten tournament.