Illinois Player Shifts from Dreaming to Living NCAA Tournament Reality

MILWAUKEE — Ben Humrichous‘s perception of the NCAA tournament has evolved significantly as he has advanced in his basketball career. Growing up in Tipton, Indiana, he once viewed the tournament as an unattainable dream. As he began his college basketball journey at Huntington University, that dream shifted to the notion of it being outright impossible.

However, transferring to Evansville after three years at Huntington ignited the possibility of competing in the NCAA tournament. His single season with the Purple Aces revealed the stark reality of competing at this level, which he described as ‘really difficult.’ Nevertheless, it paved the way for a new chapter in his basketball journey at Illinois.

As the sixth-seeded Illinois (21-12) prepares for its first-round NCAA tournament game against Xavier (22-11) at 8:45 p.m. Friday, Humrichous reflects on how far he has come. This marks the Illini’s fifth consecutive appearance in the NCAA tournament, a feat that seemed improbable just a short time ago.

“Starting to watch the games (Thursday), it’s finally hitting me that this is really what we’re doing,” Humrichous said Thursday afternoon inside the Illinois locker room at Fiserv Forum. “I’m just so excited, so grateful, that we get to do this. Being a kid from Tipton, Indiana, I didn’t really know many — or anyone — that had been able to play in March Madness. As a kid, watching it from afar, it was such a dream.”

Humrichous’s first NCAA tournament experience was with Evansville, where the Purple Aces finished 10th in the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) and ended up in the CBI instead of the NCAA tournament. Despite the disappointment, that experience laid the groundwork for what he would face at the Division I level with Illinois.

“Last year at Evansville, I learned what the daily commitment looks like,” Humrichous said. “A season is a long journey. There’s ups and downs, but there’s such a joy when you come together as a team and work hard like this.”

Humrichous’s decision to transfer stemmed from his desire for greater success. He had garnered attention at Evansville, averaging 14.7 points and 4.7 rebounds while shooting 41% from three-point range, attracting interest from other power programs like Villanova and Louisville. However, the success of the Illini and Coach Brad Underwood‘s leadership captivated him.

“I was really enticed by the way Coach Underwood drove his players toward a winning culture, toward greatness, toward toughness,” he said. “With such a great history of winning, I knew with some great teammates we’d be successful.”

This season, Humrichous started the first 21 games before transitioning into a bench role late in the season. He is averaging eight points and 3.8 rebounds, yet his impact extends beyond statistics. He has become a vital leader within the team, earning the nickname of “big brother” from teammate Tre White.

“His experience, his knowledge, his wisdom is unmatched,” White said. “He’s always making sure we’re good and putting things into perspective. From the day I met him, he’s been true. He’s been genuine.”

Humrichous’s contributions off the court often resonate more deeply with his teammates. Ty Rodgers emphasized the importance of Humrichous’s character. “He’s just a great person. You can go to him when you need to talk to somebody,” Rodgers said. “Forget basketball. He’s just a great person.”

Illinois guard Kylan Boswell appreciates Humrichous’s guidance during games, particularly in calming his thoughts during tense moments. “He’s a great example of canceling all that stuff out,” Boswell said. “I appreciate him so much and have so much love for him. He’s been a great leader for this team.”

As the tournament draws near, Humrichous’s journey and the support from his teammates meld together into a collective goal. Rodgers expressed the importance of cherishing this experience for Humrichous. “For him to be able to be here and enjoy this moment, hopefully, we can all go on a run,” he said.

Scott Richey covers college basketball for The News-Gazette. His email is , and you can follow him on Twitter.