Print edition: 
TULSA — Jim Fannin won't take credit for the psychological gains made by Illinois forward Mike Davis this season, and that's saying something.
Fannin, a mental performance coach and public speaker who advises athletes and business executives, will accept kudos for contributing to the intellectual proficiencies of stars such as Alex Rodriguez, Grant Hill and Frank Thomas. Just check his website.
But not Davis.
"Zero," Fannin said. "None."
Fannin said Davis became engaged in Fannin's philosophy, designed to increase productivity, and figured out how it would best suit him.
Davis, a 6-foot-9 forward who leads Illinois in rebounding (7.2) and is second in scoring (12.3), has mastered the system. He increased his productivity to the tune of 22 points and nine rebounds in the Illini's win over UNLV in their NCAA Tournament opener on Friday. Illinois meets Kansas in tonight's third round.
"He doesn't have any negative thoughts right now," said Fannin, an Ohio State graduate whose business is based in Chicago. "He's only thinking about what he wants; he's not thinking about what he doesn't want. That is the difference in going from good to great, that's for sure."
Illinois coach Bruce Weber brought Fannin in to speak to the Illini this season. Davis reacted positively to his message, so Fannin left his phone number and encouraged Davis to call.
Davis did, and the two began a relationship carried on mostly through text messages and phone calls. The two communicate regularly, and Davis feels comfortable enough with Fannin that he often talks to him about topics other than basketball.
"You can talk to him about anything," Davis said. "He's like a father figure, kind of. He's there to help. He always has advice. He's a guy I respect and listen to and take his advice to heart, because he knows what he's talking about."
Whether it's motivation from the uplifting quotes he's occasionally texted by Fannin or not, something has enabled Davis to reach a new level of efficiency lately. An eight-point effort by Davis in Illinois' Big Ten Tournament ouster against Michigan stopped a string of five-straight double-figure scoring games.
Perhaps Davis' output can be attributed to his unwillingness to allow his career to end without a defining moment, which could come if Illinois upsets KU today.
"I just want to win, that's the main thing," Davis said. "My main goal is to win and go out on top. I want to make the Sweet 16, Elite Eight. It's a big game, a big game to do it. It's a big stage, and everybody's going to be watching. It's fun. This is a fun time of my life. It's something I've been dreaming about for a long time."
Last season, Davis led the Big Ten in rebounding and had 15 double-doubles, 10 more than he's notched in 2010-11. His rebounding average has decreased thanks to additions to the Illini frontcourt, and his scoring has increased. He has four 20-point games this season, and Illinois has won each by double digits, including victories against tournament teams North Carolina and Penn State.
"I don't really hunt shots," Davis said. "I don't really go into a game thinking I'm going to get 20 points. I try to rebound and run the floor, that's my main goal. If I score it's just an added bonus. Guys find me. I've got to hit my shots, and I've got to be in position to score."
Going against the KU front line that includes Marcus Morris, Markieff Morris and Thomas Robinson is daunting but not unique to Davis, who has opposed All-America-level players such as Purdue's JuJuan Johnson and Jared Sullinger of Ohio State.
If Davis and the Illini advance, a message from Fannin is likely to come. And maybe more big games from Davis as a result.
"It's a thing to take me to another level," Davis said. "Coach brought him in because he thought he'd be a great motivational speaker to us, and he was. I called him throughout the whole season. I've been playing well, so why stop it when he's helping me out?"
