title
Illinois
 Junior forward Mike Davis
Get up-to-date on Fighting Illini basketball with junior forward Mike Davis, who will be in the chat room Thursday, July 9, starting at noon CT. Send your questions today.
Moderator: Hello Illini fans. Mike just finished up with his Atmosphere class on campus. He's here now to talk hoops and take your questions. Let's get started!
Alexandria: Mike, how is your ankle?
Mike Davis: Ankle is feeling great! Just taking my time rehabbing. But I will definitely be 100% by the time school starts up in August.
Zipporah (Chicago): What are your thoughts on your path after the U of I?
Mike Davis: I have professional aspirations of course in trying to make it to the NBA level. That is a long way away though, I'm trying to focus on having a great Junior season here at UofI.
Lauren: You think you can beat penn state?
Mike Davis: Whats up Lauren? Penn State is great team, with great players. They've had our number since I've been here at school so hopefully this upcoming season we can get back to winning against them.
Robert (Gainesville, FL): Now that Chester is a coach, who is the most intense Illini player on the court.
Mike Davis: That's a great question Robert. We are going to have to find that new Chester and what he brought to the table every single game. It will be tough to find that intense player, but personally I feel it could be DJ Richardson.
Jerry (Urbana): I understand you are a soccer and tennis fan. How did you develop your love for these sports?
Mike Davis: Well I love tennis because when I was little I would always go over to my grandmother's house and she would always be watching tennis so I just fell in love with the sport. I just recently began to get into soccer. My roommate/teammate Bill Cole is a huge soccer fan so he is instrumental in me liking soccer and understanding it more. My favorite tennis player is Nadal, and my favorite soccer player is Kaka.
Anonymous: I understand your roommate Bill Cole destroys you in Fifa 09 on a regular basis. Would you care to respond??
Mike Davis: There is no truth to that. Actually last night I beat him 3 times in a row. He was pretty upset, he hates losing. I'm better than him though.
Ally (Joliet): I see you have a twitter. How many hours a day do you spend on twitter?
Mike Davis: Good question Ally, I'm always on twitter. I love it. I would say I spend about 2 hours on there just reading peoples' posts. Good times. My page is private and I accept friends only.
Brian (Peoria): Hey Mike, what are your goals for the season this year?
Mike Davis: Good question, Personally my goals for this upcoming season are to average a Double-Double throughout the season and help the team advance to the sweet 16 and beyond!
Michael (Springfield): Mikey D I had a great time watching you and the team play last season. How do you think the Illini will stand this season? Are you looking forward to the recruiting classes?
Mike Davis: I think this season we will push the tempo a little more. We have added a great group of young athletic guards who love to get up and down the court. This season will be a fun to watch, trust me.
Patrick (Glen Ellyn): Please promise me one thing, you will never have a game where you score under 40 points?
Mike Davis: Glad to see you have reasonable expectations Patrick.
Kyle(Elgin): Hey Mike do they have you on the Mike Tisdale diet this offseason? How's the strength program going?
Mike Davis: I'm not quite on his diet but I'm on a weight gain program that will hopefully help me put on some much needed pounds and strength. I put in a lot of time in the weight room and it just takes time. I have to be patient and know that in the long run all this work will pay off!
Ray (Chicago): I hear Coach Weber challenged you to be the leading rebounder in the country next year. Think you can do it? Good luck!
Mike Davis: Rebounding is dedication. If I put my mind to it and actually box out this season, I feel like I have a chance to be a top 5 rebounder in the country.
Bob, Peoria: I don't really have a question, I just wanted to tell you that your dunk last season at Indiana as time was expiring in the first half was one of my favorite moments of the year. Classic. Best of luck healing up, and best of luck next season.
Mike Davis: Thanks Bob, yeah I threw that dunk down with authority. Thanks for the luck.
Lizzie B (Napetucky): What is your theme song?
Mike Davis: My theme song is, Kobe Bryant by Lil Wayne. Me and Bill always play that song. Great song Lizzie Bazettttttttttaaaaa.
Heather (Chicago,IL): Being so busy with basketball and classes, do you have any time to date? How do you balance your private life with everything else?
Mike Davis: I have some time to get out and meet new people. Of course basketball takes up a large chunk of time but I really have met some new cool people here on campus.
Don (Madison, WI): Mike, Do you think you could be playing some of the small forward spot at times during the year?
Mike Davis: Good question Don, In the spring and early summer before I got injured I really was working hard on my ballhandling and extending my range out to 3. I really feel like we can go big this season and see myself playing the 3 spot at some points during the season!
DAVID (NYC): whats good mike, who is an nba player that you think your game most resembles? i think you are most similar to marcus camby.. pretty smooth J for a big guy and the nastiest help defender in the league. BAM!
Mike Davis: I really try to emulate my game after guys like Rudy Gay, Kevin Durant, and Lamar Odom. All really smooth on the court and can handle the ball and make their teammates better.
Alex (NY): How is your leg healing up? When will you be able to get back on the court and start training with the team again?
Mike Davis: Ankle is doing great, just taking my time. No need to rush back. The feedback I'm getting from the medical staff is that there will be no lingering effects and I will be 100% ready for the season.
Buzz (Chicago): How important will it be to have Chester [Frazier] back with the team this coming season, albeit with suit & tie this time? Can't wait to see him all dressed up!
Mike Davis: Chester Frazier is really instrumental for us this season. He is helping the freshmen come along by working them out, specifically working on their ballhandling and defense since we are such a defensive-oriented team.
Brad Herrmann (Mahomet): Do you think we will win the big ten this year or will that come in a couple years?
Mike Davis: Great question, I really feel that we have a great shot a Big Ten title this season. The league this year is loaded with talent and will we will have to earn it. Looking forward to the challenge.
Zipporah (Chicago): What was your favorite game last season?
Mike Davis: I would say Missouri because it was a fast paced game and I thrive to play in uptempo games. Especially because it is a big game for our fans also.
Peter (Chicago): Why did you choose the number 24?
Mike Davis: I chose the number 24 because I wore it in AAU. The number 21 was taken here by Brian Carlwell. I wore number 21 throughout high school and my younger playing days, wish it wasn't taken when I got here.
MIMI, Alexandria: You will have a fabulous 2009-10 year, Mike. Love you
Mike Davis: Thanks Grandma!! Love you too!
Zipporah (Chicago): What's the best part about being on the Illini Basketball team?
Mike Davis: I would personally say the travel. I love getting to travel and go places I probably never would of gone such as Maui and South Padre. I also love the exposure we get by being able to play on ESPN, BTN and CBS.
Jason (Champaign): How often are you able to travel home to see your family?
Mike Davis: I see my family every now and then. I don't really get to go home that much since basketball is my life and takes up a lot of time. To my family's credit they always take time out of their busy work schedules and come up to Champaign and check on me even in the off season. Love them!
Ryan (Oswego, IL): Hi Mike, Both you and Mike Tisdale made some incredible strides last season. What was the key for both of you in making that much progress from your freshman year to your sophomore year?
Mike Davis: Great question Ryan, I would say Mike and I both put a lot of time in the off season trying to get better and stronger. I would also say by not redshirting helped us out dearly by getting a taste of the action as freshmen.
Mike D (valparaiso): Yo, as a fellow Mike D, I wonder, do you have a preferred nickname? P.S. I hope the ankle is healing up well so I can watch you sky above the competition.
Mike Davis: I have heard some cool nicknames. I personally like the nick names "the docta" and "silky smooth"
Buzz (Chicago): Are you ready to be the leader we all know you can be, on & off the court? Can't wait for the season to start!
Mike Davis: Yes Buzz that is a challenge that I am looking forward to tackling this season. I think the guys look up to me and would follow my lead. I know I have to be more vocal and demanding of myself also.
Paulette (Beltsville): You are doing a great job. When will the Illini play Maryland again? love you
Mike Davis: Thanks Aunt Paulette. The closet I'll get to home this season is Clemson and Penn State. See you soon. Love You.
Frayser, Elizabethtown KY: What will be your main focus/goal when you're able to practice @ 100%?
Mike Davis: My main focus this season will be making my teammates better and getting the guys in the gym so that we can have a successful season! Looking forward to this season, it will be a great one!!
Mike Davis: I have to run. Enjoyed this Illini fans. Love all you guys and wouldn't be doing this without you. Looking forward to the season just as much as all the fans are! Thanks for all the support!
Moderator: Thanks for participating in today's chat! Be sure to return next Tuesday at Noon, when wide receiver Arrelious "Rejus" Benn will be in the chat room.