PAUL DAVIS
Senior basketball center
Rochester

Davis averaged 20.5 points and 11.0 rebounds on 55.6 percent shooting in the past two games. He is averaging 18.5 points and 10 rebounds per game, a Big Ten best and is The State News' player of the week.

SN: What's the biggest change you've seen in this team since you guys left for Maui?
PD: I think just consistency. In a way, as opposed to last year, we're being more consistent, a lot of guys are doing what they're supposed to do, playing how they're supposed to play. There's always dropoffs here and there, but that's expected. I really think a lot of guys are coming around and we're understanding how each other plays even more.

SN: What area do you think you may have personally improved in the most this season?
PD: You could say rebounding. That's just stat-wise. But I think just playing more consistent day in and day out.

SN: Is there a game this season that you're proudest of?
PD: You could put it on IPFW (season-highs of 30 points and 14 rebounds in an 84-73 win on Nov. 27) All three seasons past, I wouldn't have maybe, I don't know, taken it as strong or just using that game to maybe propel myself. I might have had a 12 and 5 game last year or two years ago. And the whole Maui Tournament — just three games in a row, playing hard like that. That tournament really kind of showed me what can happen when you play consistently.

SN: Who would you say has been your toughest cover this season?
PD: A lot of them. (Gonzaga center J.P.) Batista, the way he plays, he's tough to stop, he's got real nice touch for a big man. I think (Ohio State's Terence) Dials and (Indiana's Marco) Killingsworth are both solid, Big Ten post guys. So yeah, we've had a lot and there's still a lot to come, and the best thing is our schedule, the talent we've played, is going to help us.