If Illinois is to make a run at the Big Ten title over these last six games, the Illini are going to need Mike Davis.

And if ESPN needs a player-analyst, the basketball junkie would be a fine option. He watches a lot of basketball and enjoys scouting players from his couch. I remember Mike D saying Syracuse was top-10 good before the pollsters figured it out. He considers himself a fan of Evan Turner's game... while recognizing Sunday's game against Ohio State could go a long way toward deciding the Big Ten title. Here's some of what Davis had to say in a light conversation before practice yesterday at Ubben:

Did you look at these final eight games with a number of wins in mind?

MD: "Our goal, when we started this eight-game stretch, was to go 6-2. I thought maybe we'd slip up against the first two teams. When we beat the first two teams, I started thinking, 'Let's go 8-0. It's doable.' Last year we beat Purdue at Purdue. All of the games will be very tough, though. The way Demetri's playing, anything's possible."

What's your take on Demetri right now?

MD: "He's playing like Superman right now. He's playing unconscious basketball. He's playing with a lot of confidence. He's playing with a lot of swag. I think he could be an All-American right now, if he continues the way he's playing. If we win out and he plays the way he's playing, he could be Big Ten Player of the Year."

So you'd take Demetri over Evan Turner for Big Ten POY?

MD: "Evan, he's got so much national attention. I think if you put Demetri's stats up, he's averaging what, 20 and 8 over the last few games? He's right there."

What clicked for Demetri?

MD: "Maybe just listening to Coach. I think Coach finally got to him, after a long time, he probably started listening. He's playing with so much confidence. He knows in his mind (that) no one can stop him. He's got that attitude."

And what clicked for you guys?

MD: "We're playing defense now. I think we're doing a better job on the defensive end. We're getting shutouts and we're trying to contain the best players. I think we did a pretty good job on Trevon Hughes and on Raymar Morgan and Chris Allen and those guys from Michigan State."

The team meeting three weeks ago... did that have any effect?

MD: "Oh yeah, I forgot about that. We haven't had a loss since the team meeting, right? That might have helped out, too. It got our guys together and some guys got some stuff off their chests that they needed to. I think that was a good thing for us. Maybe it worked. It looks like it worked."

How do you feel you're playing?

MD: "The other night I didn't score, but I did all the other little things. I got some rebounds, screened. I screened for Demetri when he came down the floor and hit that floater. That was a big shot. I didn't need to score that night; I just did what I needed to do for the team. When they helped on Tisdale, Demetri got to the basket. When they didn't help, Tisdale got open jumpshots. Maybe the next game, if they (Ohio State) plays zone, maybe I need to score. Whatever I need to do to help the team win, that's what I'm going to do. We're winning. That's all that matters."

I know you like when Ohio State plays zone.

MD: "I'm pretty good against a zone. I like to sneak in there and find an open space. I have a quick release and can get it off pretty fast. The mid-range, that's my shot. I'm really confident with that shot. I hope they play zone. I'm confident against a zone. Hopefully we can take advantage of our size, because they play with four guards. Either way it will be a fun game. We're playing against maybe a top-three draft pick in Evan Turner, a great player."

You've told me before you enjoy watching him.

MD: "He's just smooth. I was watching him last night (at Indiana) and he had, what, 10 and 7 and 6? It didn't feel like he had that; he's just so smooth and he does it so quietly sometimes. Sometimes he goes big. He's so good at getting in the lane, using that floater, those spins, and he's so athletic that he dunk it. He's just a great player. He's going to be fun to go against again."

I just named Mike Davis the G.M. of the Wizards. And you drew the first pick.

MD: "Probably (taking) John Wall. I was thinking maybe DeMarcus Cousins, though, with his six double-doubles in a row. He's unstoppable down on the block. I really like him. He's going to be a great pro. They might go 1-2, you never know. And then I'd take Wes Johnson. That's my guy. Great player."

PKlee_IlliniHQ