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Illinois Basketball: Top 5 Illini wing-forwards of the 2010s

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 22: Mike Davis #24 of the Illinois Fighting Illini tries to get the fans to make noise during the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Assembly Hall on January 22, 2011 in Champaign, Illinois. Ohio State won 73-68. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 22: Mike Davis #24 of the Illinois Fighting Illini tries to get the fans to make noise during the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Assembly Hall on January 22, 2011 in Champaign, Illinois. Ohio State won 73-68. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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CHAMPAIGN, IL – FEBRUARY 13: Mike Davis #24 of the Illinois Fighting Illini tries to fire up the crowd against the Purdue Boilermakers at Assembly Hall on February 13, 2011 in Champaign, Illinois. Purdue defeated Illinois 81-70. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL – FEBRUARY 13: Mike Davis #24 of the Illinois Fighting Illini tries to fire up the crowd against the Purdue Boilermakers at Assembly Hall on February 13, 2011 in Champaign, Illinois. Purdue defeated Illinois 81-70. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

2. Mike Davis

There are a handful of Illinois basketball players who are extremely underappreciated in the grand scheme of things. One of those underappreciated players is Mike Davis.

Davis was an important part of the Illini from his sophomore season through his senior campaign. He would only spend two seasons in the 2010s, but they were great runs by the Orange and Blue.

As a junior, Davis averaged 10.7 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. Illinois was competitive that year, but they missed the NCAA tournament and were left on the bubble. The following season was even better, though. Davis would average 12.5 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game as a senior. The Illini would get to the postseason and advance to the second round.

Having an athletic freak like Davis as a forward really helped Illinois win some games. He would average over 10 points and 7 rebounds per game in three straight seasons. That is something that isn’t achieved very often for the Illini.

At the end of the day, the athletic ability and the fact Davis was able to put up some big numbers is why he landed at the No. 2 spot on the top five wing-forwards of the 2010s. He could put up those numbers while also leading Illinois to the postseason. He was impressive.

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