Heading back to the Final Four is a historic feat for Illinois, as it’s the program’s first Final Four since 2005, but for two players in their second year with the team, it means a little more. As the Final Four is being hosted in Indianapolis, graduate student forward Ben Humrichous and junior forward Jake Davis will get the chance to play on the biggest stage in college basketball in their home state.
“It’s a dream to make the Final Four, but for it to be in Indianapolis, I think it hits home for me and Ben a little bit more,” Davis said. “Get to go home, play in our home state, show the world that two kids from Indiana can do it.”
Humrichous transferred to Illinois from Evansville last season and went through the year as a senior, even participating in the Senior Night festivities. However, when he was granted another year of eligibility, Humrichous decided to run it back as an Illini one last time for the 2025-26 season, and he’s accomplishing what he came back to do.
“I came back to win, and we’re doing it,” Humrichous said. “It’s such a joy. I gave coach Brad (Underwood) a big hug, and I said this is exactly why I came back, you know, for moments like this where I wouldn’t have had it any other way.”
Not only will Humrichous play in his first-ever Final Four, but he will also have the support of his personal home crowd. Humrichous grew up in Tipton, Indiana, and went to Tipton High School, where he was an All-State Honorable Mention in 2020. Humrichous stayed in the Hoosier State for the first two stops of his college career, attending Huntington University along with Evansville, but he will ultimately be returning home as an Illini.
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“I remember when I knew I was going to come back and the Big Ten tournament was in Chicago, and I was like sick, try to get the Illinois home crowd,” Humrichous said. “But when I saw Indianapolis, it’s something you want to set your eyes on, and here we are.”
The strides Humrichous made in his game between his first and second seasons in Champaign are a huge part of why the Illini were able to make the jump from a second-round exit to a Final Four appearance in just a year. Although Humrichous started his tenure at Illinois as solely a 3-point shooter, he’s evolved this year, particularly becoming a lockdown defender and consistent threat on the glass.
Humrichous gets to finish his college basketball career this weekend, where it all started for him in front of the people who have supported him every step of the way.
“I have a piece of (the net) I get to take home, and then you get to wave it in the air and see all of Illini nation,” Humrichous said. “You can look up and spot your family, for me, my wife, and how special that is, and the support that I’ve been able to have over the last two years through the highs and the lows, and it’s just been special.”
Similar to Humrichous, Davis’ improvements on the defensive end of the floor as an on-ball defender, as well as an aggressive offensive rebounder, have been instrumental in Illinois’ success. Davis has gone from recording one steal last season to 11 this year, along with 17 total offensive rebounds to 36 so far this year. Underwood has repeatedly complimented Davis’ growth from year one to year two throughout the season and cited it as a contributing factor to the team’s improvement over the last year.
“(Underwood’s) a great coach, great person to be around,” Davis said. “He’s really the driver for everything we do. We couldn’t have done this without him, obviously. I think he’s really the greatest coach I’ve ever played for.”
Davis will experience a true homecoming when he competes in the Final Four this weekend, maybe more so than Humrichous. He grew up in McCordsville, Indiana, and attended Indianapolis Cathedral High School, just half an hour from Lucas Oil Stadium. In his junior year, Davis was an Underclassman All-State Honorable Mention and also won the state championship in the same year. Davis then played for a season at Mercer in Georgia before transferring to Illinois as a sophomore last year.
The Illini lost multiple players to the NBA draft and the transfer portal last season, but not Davis. He chose to stick around for another year and is reaping the benefits of his choice. Now, he’s a starter on a Final Four team and gets to finish out his junior year at home.
“Me and Ben talked about that too at the beginning of the year when we finally found out it was in Indy,” Davis said. “We were like, it must be meant to be. We got to make it happen. That’s what we did, that’s what we strive for the whole year.”
Humrichous, Davis and the rest of the Illini celebrated their Elite Eight victory over No. 9 Iowa last Saturday night with Super Soakers in the locker room following the game. But, they don’t want to settle for just a Final Four appearance. The Illini want to make their trip to Indianapolis worth their while by hoisting up the National Championship trophy on Monday night.
“Brad’s big preach the whole year was making history, wanting to be just like (the 2004-05 team),” Davis said. “It’s a great feeling to make history. Job’s not finished though, we still have two more games.”
@evy_york2
