All throughout this basketball season, much has been made of Keaton Wagler, Kylan Boswell, and the “Baltic Five.”
But there are two players who often get overlooked on the stat sheet, but continuously provide much-needed support and stability for the Illini, especially after Boswell’s injury last month.
Ben Humrichous and Jake Davis both had question marks coming into this season. Those questions have been answered. They lurk in the shadows, but when they are needed, they emerge like superheroes, swinging
down from the rooftops. (Okay, a little too dramatic, but you get the point.) From last season to this season, they have taken somewhat of a role reversal, but their contributions have been vital to Illinois’ success.
Davis, the 6-foot-6 junior transfer from Mercer, has played in all 25 games (starting 10 of them), averaging 18.7 minutes per game. Last season, he was more of a role player off the bench. He played in all 32 games, only averaging 9.5 minutes per contest. He hit 41.2% shots last season and 41.9% this season. He has become a serious three-point threat this season, at 39.8%, which is better than his 34.4% last season. He has only shot 16 free throws, but has made 13 of them, good for 81.3%. No two were bigger than the ones at the end of regulation vs. Michigan State to send the game into overtime.
One reason for his increased minutes, besides his 3-point ability, is his improvement on defense.
“He gave in that he wasn’t a great defender,” said head coach Brad Underwood last month. “This season, he has accepted the role he has to play and to be a contributing factor. He knows he had better guard.”
Underwood has cited Davis’ great anticipation, quick hands, and ability to play the gap, all as factors in his improvement. He has also called Davis a leader and a communicator, saying “he doesn’t shut up!” He calls out screens, calls switches, and just keeps others in the game. Teams must respect not only his shooting, but he also has the ability to see the floor and make the extra pass. In the Purdue game late in the second half, he hits a three from the corner on the next possession, in the same spot, with better defense, finds David Mirkovic for an open triple.
Humrichous, the 6-foot-9 graduate student transfer from Evansville, has played in all 25 games, coming off the bench in all but two of them. After last season, he appealed for another year and won, and the Illini are reaping the benefit.
Last season, he started 25 of 32 games. playing over 25 minutes per game, racking up 7.5 PPG and 3.8 RPG. His scoring is down to just 6.1 per game, while his shooting is slightly better: 39.2% this season vs 37.5% in 2024-25, and he is hitting 35.2% from the arc. At 6-foot-9 and 235 pounds, he can play the three, four, or five. Although I would say he is better as a stretch-4, where he can take you inside or hit from outside.
Humrichous is rock steady with the ball, committing only five turnovers in 552 minutes of play, or about one every three games. According to Underwood, he never makes a scouting report mistake. And like Davis, it is his defense that has Underwood taking notice.
After the Michigan State game, Underwood said: “To be honest, last year, I’m not sure Ben could guard a dead man. And I mean, he would probably, probably give 20 to (Tom) Izzo’s mom last year. This year, he’s guarding everybody!”
This is a true statement, as Humrichous has guarded big men, point guards, and everyone in between. I’m not sure there isn’t a spot on the floor he can’t guard from the baseline to the arc. He can deny the pass and the shot (he has 17 blocks this season), second on the team, ahead of Andrej Stojakovic and Tomislav Ivisic, each with 13. Like, Davis Underwood cites him as being a great on-the-floor communicator, especially on defense.
One of his biggest moments, however, came off the court this season when he married former women’s star Adalia McKenzie on Dec. 23.
While they may not fill up a stat sheet with Keaton Wagler-type numbers or make highlight reel dunks. What they do is personify the heart and soul of this basketball team with their toughness, grit, and hard-nosed tenacity. Over the last year and a half, they have contributed to some very memorable moments for Illinois.
