Mike Davis may be more eager than any of the Illini to finally begin the regular season. After admitting he didn’t play to his full potential during the team’s two exhibition games, the junior forward is ready to pick up where he left off last season when No. 23 Illinois hosts Southern Illinois-Edwardsville in its first meaningful contest Friday.

“I didn’t get many touches. I wasn’t real aggressive,” Davis said of Illinois’ two exhibition victories. “I think Friday night you’ll see a different me. I’m going to try to come out aggressive and get my double-double like usual.”

The Big Ten’s second-leading rebounder last season said he wanted to back off during the preseason to let the freshmen shine and gain experience. Davis held back on defense, passed the ball more and took fewer shots than he normally would. His approach proved effective, as freshman D.J. Richardson had the opportunity to lead the Illini past Quincy on Sunday with a game-high 23 points on 9-of-13 shooting, with 15 of those points from behind the 3-point arc.

But head coach Bruce Weber addressed Davis this week in practice about his effort, telling him all of the veterans must step up their play on defense Friday to shut down the Cougars.

“Me, (Mike) Tisdale and Dominique (Keller) need to box out better,” Davis said.

“We watched the (exhibition) film, and we don’t box out at all.”

Illinois averaged 89.5 points per game in its two exhibition games, yet it has been streaky on defense.

Meanwhile, Demetri McCamey, who has defined himself as the vocal leader on the court heading into the regular season, said the team must work on two major aspects of its game after viewing film from the preseason: defensive rebounding and getting to the basket easier.

Weber noted that Davis and Tisdale would perform better if the guards get the ball inside more. The veterans’ performances Friday will be dependent upon McCamey and the younger guards.

Weber has yet to determine his starters, but he said the lineup will most likely contain Davis, Tisdale, Richardson, McCamey and either junior Alex Legion or freshman Brandon Paul. He added that Keller could start as well.

“I’d say right now we have a starting seven, and we’ll kind of go from there and see how things kind of evolve over the next two weeks,” Weber said.

“I’d say we’ll probably have at least two or three different starting lineups over the next two weeks.”

Davis said Weber told the team it needs to “ditch and pitch” more as the level of its opponents rises throughout the next month. Rather than always trying to drive to the basket, he wants his players — particularly the freshmen — to look for the open man.

Richardson said he would rather spend his minutes on the court holding back opponents than aiming to be the top scorer.

“I love to shut down other players,” Richardson said.

“I think to shut down the best player on the other team to under 10 points, that’s a good goal.”

Although the Illini have struggled on defense in the preseason, with their top three scorers returning and a top-25 recruiting class, they are fervently waiting to begin their trek toward another NCAA Tournament appearance.

But will the freshmen’s nerves show when the Assembly Hall is packed with orange again Friday?

“All I wanted all my life was to play college ball, and Friday’s my first day. I’m ready.” Richardson said.