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As the Illinois offseason is entering "Quiet" mode, I wanted to write about a player who deserves recognition for his contributions the past two seasons, the polarizing yet always classy Ben Humrichous.
Illinois added Humrichous out of the transfer portal two offseasons ago, and the expectations for the Evansville forward were pretty ludicrous from the jump.
Despite only playing one season for the Aces and beginning his career at NAIA Huntington (Indiana) University, Humrichous was viewed as a huge transfer portal get when he chose to attend Illinois instead of Villanova and other suitors.
After Illinois had much success with Southern Illinois transfer Marcus Domask during the 2023-24 season, fans were expecting Humrichous to have a similar impact during his first season with the Illini. Described as a knockdown three-point shooter, Humrichous was a mid-major darling who was even listed on some lists of the Top 100 prospects for the 2025 NBA Draft.
Unfortunately, for Ben, his first season did not go as planned, as his output on the court did not match the unrealistic expectations, with some automatically casting Humrichous as the second-best player on a roster full of new players. Despite wearing the same number "3," Humrichous was never going to be Domask, who had played four seasons at Southern Illinois before coming to Illinois. Ben had played just one year at a mid-major level, and the jump to the Big Ten was going to be much tougher than people recognized.
Starting most of the season at the power forward spot, Humrichous struggled to hit open shots, adjust defensively and compete on the glass. While the effort was always there from Humrichous, his game was not translating at a higher level of competition. By the end of the season, Humrichous was replaced in the starting lineup by Morez Johnson, who would break his wrist, and then a combination of Tre White and Will Riley.
Getting some spot minutes during the 2025 NCAA Tournament, Humrichous had one play during a second-round loss to Kentucky that perfectly encapsulated his first season with Illinois. At the end of the first half, Humrichous got the ball and let a 75-footer go at the horn, with the shot looking good before hitting the back iron and bouncing off. Like so many shots from Humrichous during his first season, it looked good but did not deliver.
While Humrichous did not play up to expectations, he never pouted or hung his head and accepted whatever role he was given, even when sent to the bench. Still, Illinois fans were not kind to Humrichous, the epitome of a selfless teammate.
While I love reading the Illinois Loyalty message board, especially during the offseason, some posters had began substituting the "rich" in Humrichous with "brick." When Johnson ended up transferring to Michigan, Humrichous got some ire, with fans complaining that Head Coach Brad Underwood played him too much.
Personally, I felt bad for Humrichous as he was a good kid who was trying his best. Even though college kids are getting paid to play basketball nowadays, they are still not professional athletes and deserve a little more grace, at least in my opinion. I am of the belief that as long as a kid is playing hard and representing the university the right way, he should be recognized, even if the talent or production is not there. Now if a kid is a jerk on and off the court, that's another story. However, if things are just not working out but the kid is putting his best foot forward, that can always be addressed during the offseason with a transfer that can work for both parties.
In the case of Humrichous, it seemed like his first season at Illinois would be his last, as there were questions about his eligibility. Entering the offseason, things were relatively silent, with Humrichous not entering the portal and continuing to work out with the Illinois coaching staff. Suddenly, it became clear that Humrichous might get one more season in college basketball and stick around at Illinois, which some Illini fans were not excited about. I differed, thinking that Humrichous could be a great guy off the bench with a more clearly-defined role.
That proved to be the case this past season as Humrichous was spectacular as a reserve. While his three-point shooting never found true consistency at Illinois, Humrichous really elevated his game defensively and on the glass. Humrichous looked like a more comfortable and confident player during his second season in the Big Ten.
Instead of hunting for shots and looking to prove his doubters wrong, Humrichous cared more about doing all of the little things, with his impact felt way beyond the box score. Underwood even noted this early in the season, speaking about how Humrichous was the best player on the floor for the Illini during a game in which he didn't even take a shot.
As Illinois made its Final Four run, Illini fans began to show more appreciation toward Humrichous. As challenging as his first season was in Champaign, his second season was extremely satisfying. Always a team-first guy, Humrichous was an invaluable leader, connector and contributor to a team that went further than any other Illini squad in 21 years.
As Humrichous hit a big three late during the Final Four loss to UCONN, keeping Illinois' slim hopes alive, I realized that Ben was most likely playing his last game as an Illini, adding to the depression of falling short of the title game.
While Illinois fans thankfully did a 180 on Humrichous, coming to recognize his contributions this season, I always like the kid's effort on the court. He was someone who cared, wanted to do well and put in the work to get better. Many people would have lost confidence and quit on themselves. Humrichous kept the faith, literally and figuratively, and had a final season that he should be proud of.
While Illinois is losing Keaton Wagler and Kylan Boswell next season, Humrichous is a guy whom the team will solely miss off the bench, much more than people may realize. In today's day and game, it is hard to find players who will sacrifice everything for the team, as Humrichous did. Whatever Illinois needed this year, Ben did to the best of his abilities. Sometimes those players are the hardest to replace because they are the rarest to find.
Ultimately, Illinois was very lucky to have Ben Humrichous, a fundamentally-sound player, great teammate and terrific person, even though it took many fans a long time to recognize his contributions.
There are some now writing that Humrichous might still have a shot at the pros. Personally, I see him as a player who gets a shot in summer league and could play in the G League given that he has nice positional size and is such a good teammate.
Whatever comes next for Humrichous, he will certainly approach it with hard work, humility and grace, qualities that had a major impact on the Illinois basketball program these past two seasons.
Illinois added Humrichous out of the transfer portal two offseasons ago, and the expectations for the Evansville forward were pretty ludicrous from the jump.
Despite only playing one season for the Aces and beginning his career at NAIA Huntington (Indiana) University, Humrichous was viewed as a huge transfer portal get when he chose to attend Illinois instead of Villanova and other suitors.
After Illinois had much success with Southern Illinois transfer Marcus Domask during the 2023-24 season, fans were expecting Humrichous to have a similar impact during his first season with the Illini. Described as a knockdown three-point shooter, Humrichous was a mid-major darling who was even listed on some lists of the Top 100 prospects for the 2025 NBA Draft.
Unfortunately, for Ben, his first season did not go as planned, as his output on the court did not match the unrealistic expectations, with some automatically casting Humrichous as the second-best player on a roster full of new players. Despite wearing the same number "3," Humrichous was never going to be Domask, who had played four seasons at Southern Illinois before coming to Illinois. Ben had played just one year at a mid-major level, and the jump to the Big Ten was going to be much tougher than people recognized.
Starting most of the season at the power forward spot, Humrichous struggled to hit open shots, adjust defensively and compete on the glass. While the effort was always there from Humrichous, his game was not translating at a higher level of competition. By the end of the season, Humrichous was replaced in the starting lineup by Morez Johnson, who would break his wrist, and then a combination of Tre White and Will Riley.
Getting some spot minutes during the 2025 NCAA Tournament, Humrichous had one play during a second-round loss to Kentucky that perfectly encapsulated his first season with Illinois. At the end of the first half, Humrichous got the ball and let a 75-footer go at the horn, with the shot looking good before hitting the back iron and bouncing off. Like so many shots from Humrichous during his first season, it looked good but did not deliver.
While Humrichous did not play up to expectations, he never pouted or hung his head and accepted whatever role he was given, even when sent to the bench. Still, Illinois fans were not kind to Humrichous, the epitome of a selfless teammate.
While I love reading the Illinois Loyalty message board, especially during the offseason, some posters had began substituting the "rich" in Humrichous with "brick." When Johnson ended up transferring to Michigan, Humrichous got some ire, with fans complaining that Head Coach Brad Underwood played him too much.
Personally, I felt bad for Humrichous as he was a good kid who was trying his best. Even though college kids are getting paid to play basketball nowadays, they are still not professional athletes and deserve a little more grace, at least in my opinion. I am of the belief that as long as a kid is playing hard and representing the university the right way, he should be recognized, even if the talent or production is not there. Now if a kid is a jerk on and off the court, that's another story. However, if things are just not working out but the kid is putting his best foot forward, that can always be addressed during the offseason with a transfer that can work for both parties.
In the case of Humrichous, it seemed like his first season at Illinois would be his last, as there were questions about his eligibility. Entering the offseason, things were relatively silent, with Humrichous not entering the portal and continuing to work out with the Illinois coaching staff. Suddenly, it became clear that Humrichous might get one more season in college basketball and stick around at Illinois, which some Illini fans were not excited about. I differed, thinking that Humrichous could be a great guy off the bench with a more clearly-defined role.
That proved to be the case this past season as Humrichous was spectacular as a reserve. While his three-point shooting never found true consistency at Illinois, Humrichous really elevated his game defensively and on the glass. Humrichous looked like a more comfortable and confident player during his second season in the Big Ten.
Instead of hunting for shots and looking to prove his doubters wrong, Humrichous cared more about doing all of the little things, with his impact felt way beyond the box score. Underwood even noted this early in the season, speaking about how Humrichous was the best player on the floor for the Illini during a game in which he didn't even take a shot.
As Illinois made its Final Four run, Illini fans began to show more appreciation toward Humrichous. As challenging as his first season was in Champaign, his second season was extremely satisfying. Always a team-first guy, Humrichous was an invaluable leader, connector and contributor to a team that went further than any other Illini squad in 21 years.
As Humrichous hit a big three late during the Final Four loss to UCONN, keeping Illinois' slim hopes alive, I realized that Ben was most likely playing his last game as an Illini, adding to the depression of falling short of the title game.
While Illinois fans thankfully did a 180 on Humrichous, coming to recognize his contributions this season, I always like the kid's effort on the court. He was someone who cared, wanted to do well and put in the work to get better. Many people would have lost confidence and quit on themselves. Humrichous kept the faith, literally and figuratively, and had a final season that he should be proud of.
While Illinois is losing Keaton Wagler and Kylan Boswell next season, Humrichous is a guy whom the team will solely miss off the bench, much more than people may realize. In today's day and game, it is hard to find players who will sacrifice everything for the team, as Humrichous did. Whatever Illinois needed this year, Ben did to the best of his abilities. Sometimes those players are the hardest to replace because they are the rarest to find.
Ultimately, Illinois was very lucky to have Ben Humrichous, a fundamentally-sound player, great teammate and terrific person, even though it took many fans a long time to recognize his contributions.
There are some now writing that Humrichous might still have a shot at the pros. Personally, I see him as a player who gets a shot in summer league and could play in the G League given that he has nice positional size and is such a good teammate.
Whatever comes next for Humrichous, he will certainly approach it with hard work, humility and grace, qualities that had a major impact on the Illinois basketball program these past two seasons.
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