Illini basketball player Ben Humrichous gets married over holiday break

ST. LOUIS (WMBD/WYZZ) — Ben Humrichous helped the Illinois basketball team beat Missouri on Monday night.

The 91-48 win brought a big smile to his face. But he also had something else to smile about after the 43-point win.

He was getting married a day later.

Humrichous and his fiancé Adalia McKenzie tied the knot Tuesday, about five months earlier than the original plan.

“I had somebody from my church come to me and say, you can (get married) in April and get shipped away,” Humrichous said of his goal of playing professional basketball after finishing this college season.

Humrichous first thought about getting married a month after this season ends. But his friend from church talked him into a December wedding.

“He said there is a lot of uncertainty (getting married just weeks before leaving college),” Humrichous said. “Or he said, you can get married in December or January, and you’ll be able to spend some time in the community, you’ll have your church around you, and your team. That will be familiarity.”

That sounded good. So Humrichous and McKenzie moved their wedding date up to Dec. 23.

“Once I heard for Christmas we would have three days off, I said I might take (that option for the wedding,” said Humrichouse.

He did, however, miss the rehearsal dinner while he was helping his team beat Mizzou on Monday night.

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