Amidst the hype of the beloved “Balkan Five”, Kylan Boswell’s special senior season in his hometown, and Keaton Wagler’s rapid rise to stardom, Jake Davis and Ben Humrichous have been the unsung heroes of Illinois’ historic season.
Davis and Humrichous are two of Illinois’ eight rotational players, combining to play 42.1 minutes per game for the Fighting Illini. The Illinois roster is filled with immense talent, including a future lottery pick, five-star high school recruits, and a number of European
stars.
Yet, it’s two zero-star high school recruits from small towns in Indiana that have played as big a role as anyone in shaping the identity of the best Illini team since 2005. Now, Davis and Humrichous now get to return to their home state of Indiana to play on college basketball’s biggest stage…the Final Four.
Davis, a McCordsville, Indiana native and Humrichous, a Tipton, Indiana native, both graduated high school with zero stars to their name. Davis spent his freshman season at Mercer in Georgia before transferring to Illinois, while Humrichous spent three years at NAIA Huntington and a year at Evansville before transferring to Illinois.
Those are two very different paths, but they’re similar in that not many people would expect either of them to become major contributors on a Final Four team just two years later. Well, they’re here now.
Davis and Humrichous embody so much of what Illinois head coach Brad Underwood has wanted to build his rosters around. The two sharpshooters know how to space the floor, are willing defenders, have positional size, play smart, and will do what’s necessary to help the team win games by playing within their roles.
Jake Davis started just one game last season, averaging 9.5 minutes and 3.0 points per contest. He’s earned an increased role this year, averaging 19.7 minutes and 5.4 points per contest. Shooting 40.9% from beyond the arc will keep you on the court.
Ben Humrichous has taken a bit of a backseat this season, averaging 3.4 minutes and 1.7 less points per game. He’s been a starter in only two games this year compared to 26 in his first season with the Illini.
Both players have seen their minutes fluctuate, but their roles have remained the same. Be the reliable veteran that wants to win at all costs.
According to KenPom, the 2025-26 Illinois Fighting Illini have the highest adjusted offensive efficiency rating of all time at 131.8. That doesn’t happen without great role players.
Jake Davis has the highest offensive rating of any college basketball player this season. Ben Humrichous comes in at ninth overall. Humrichous has the lowest turnover rate of any college basketball player this season. Davis comes in at fourth overall.
As the college basketball season enters its final weekend, the nation’s eyes will be on the sport’s stars. Keaton Wagler of Illinois, Alex Karaban of UConn, Jaden Bradley of Arizona, and Yaxel Lendeborg will garner a majority of the hype from fans. Illinois’ Balkan Bloc and Arizona’s elite freshman class will make headlines. Dan Hurley’s antics and Michigan’s goofy postgame interviews will get a load of social media clicks.
But none of these teams would be where they are without their role players. And Illinois’ role players — Jake Davis and Ben Humrichous — may be the most under appreciated in the sport.
