Men’s Basketball: Davis much more than Roman numerals for ‘Eaters
He is, by birth, Will Davis II. And the UC Irvine senior has fashioned a memorable four-year men’s basketball career by putting the team first.
A 6-foot-8, 210-pound forward, Davis has the unique ability to both stand out and blend in. Either way, there is no attitude, no ego and, well, none of the problems that can sometimes orbit around any program’s best player.
Through 30 regular-season games, Davis led the Anteaters in scoring (12.7 per game) and rebounding (6.5) and his 33 blocked shots were tied for tops on the team. The first-team All-Big West Conference honoree led the conference in field-goal percentage (.528) and he shot 50% or better in 10 of 16 conference games.
He is part of the unselfish culture created by Coach Russell Turner that can produce double-digit scoring from virtually anyone on the roster. And the less credit heaped upon Davis’ wiry frame, the better he likes the team’s chances for victory.
“It has been real unselfish basketball here, and I actually like that,” said Davis, who is the school’s career leader in blocked shots (207), ranks No. 3 in rebounds (808) and No. 8 in scoring (1,325). “We play better as a team when everybody is getting their touches and nobody feels like they aren’t getting enough shots. I think that makes the team better as a whole.”
Davis has worked hard to bring a more complete whole to the court, since arriving from a New Hampshire prep school following a solid, yet unspectacular high school career in Sacramento.
“When I first came in, I mainly just had a right-handed hook,” Davis said. “And that was the main thing I did my freshman year. But [then-strength and conditioning coach] George Lynch [an NBA veteran and former college start at North Carolina] changed my shot up and helped me with my mechanics. That helped my touch and helped me improve on my free throws. Then, I kept working to develop more post moves, as well as more face-up moves, and using my right and left hand. I’ve taken more jump shots this year than in previous years, so I’ve improved in that a little bit.”
Davis, who was named Big West Defensive Player of the Year as a sophomore, has become just as valuable on the offensive end. His ability to convert mid-range jumpers, an array of hooks, floaters and banks from an arc inside 10 feet, and also use his surprising strength, quickness and leaping ability to create dunks, makes him the team’s go-to offensive option.
“I have that confidence in myself that when we need to get some scoring, I feel like I can handle that pressure,” Davis said. “One of my friends from another [conference] team told me that I was on the top of the scouting report, because I was the high scorer and I’ve had big games in conference. I’ve been double-teamed more this year than in the past and I feel like I’m one of the key guys other teams try to take away. It’s a sign of respect, but it also makes it harder to get stuff going.”
When he does get it going, which is more often than not, he can be difficult to contain.
Davis has shot better than 60% from the field 11 times this season, including three games of 70% or better. He made 12 of 15 field-goal tries on his way to a season-high 24 points in a home win against Hawaii. He was eight for 10 while netting 22 points in a home win at Long Beach State and made seven of 10 shots to post 21 points in a triumph at Cal State Fullerton. He has four double-doubles this season and has six games in which he has blocked three shots.
“I feel that when I’m in the zone and get a little rhythm going and get a few balls in the basket, I feel like every shot is going in after that,” Davis said. “Once I get the ball, I know what I want to do. If [a defender] takes that away, I have something else to go to. And I’m not just thinking something up. I like to use my best move, then my second best, and if neither of those are there, my third best. It helps me shoot the highest percentage I can.”
UCI’s winning percentage has also increased since Davis, the most consistent contributor among the team’s three seniors, arrived. Davis has started 94 games the last three seasons and Thursday’s game will be his 130th career appearance.
Entering Thursday’s Big West Conference Tournament quarterfinal against No. 6-seeded UC Riverside (14-16) at the Honda Center in Anaheim, No. 3-seeded UCI (18-12 after tying UC Santa Barbara for second in the conference regular season) has amassed 62 victories in the last three seasons. UCI won the conference regular-season crown last season and Davis made the All-Big West Tournament team, despite the team’s upset loss to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in the semifinals.
Individually, Davis, who is expected to garner interest from professional teams overseas, is only the third player in Big West history to have at least 200 blocks. And he is the third player in UCI’s 50-year history to produce at least 1,000 points and 800 rebounds.
“It has been a great experience and I’m glad I chose to come to UC Irvine,” Davis said. “I love the community the coaching staff and I’ve made great friends with my teammates. I haven’t looked too much into [personal statistics] yet, because I’m focusing on the [Big West] tournament. But, I think I can look back on my legacy with pride, when it’s over.”
Davis and the Anteaters hope the season will extend into the NCAA Tournament, which would be a first for the program.
“We want to be the first team to go to the NCAA Tournament,” Davis said. “We want to be the first senior class to say that we did that. It would give our team validity to compete with nationally ranked teams. And if we can advance, it will just give our team and our school more respect in a basketball context.”