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Illinois Basketball: Illini likely to make cut for Ayo Dosunmu

By Rees Woodcock

Dec 21, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; The Illinois Fighting Illini cheerleaders run on the court before a basketball game against the Missouri Tigers at Scottrade Center. Illinois won 75-66. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; The Illinois Fighting Illini cheerleaders run on the court before a basketball game against the Missouri Tigers at Scottrade Center. Illinois won 75-66. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Illinois basketball team is one of the main programs that will likely make the cut for Ayo Dosunmu.

According to Corey Evans of Rivals, Dosunmu is focusing on a handful of schools that includes Xavier, Northwestern and Illinois. These three were the programs he mentioned in the recent interview that was conducted by Evans.

Dosunmu had some good things to say about Illinois. He really likes the in-state school idea and he also says he has a good relationship with the coaching staff. But, it looks like the Illini will have to beat out Xavier for his commitment.

In the interview, Dosunmu had extremely high praise for the Musketeers program, from their head coach to their winning trend. He says that head coach Chris Mack has visited him recently and they are the team that is recruiting him the hardest.

Even though it seems like Dosunmu has his eyes set on Xavier right now, there is no doubt in my mind that Illinois will be there when it is all said and done. They have had a nice relationship with the kid for quite some time and that continued with the new coaching regime as well.

Xavier is a legit threat for his commitment, though. They are a good team that has made the tournament a lot under Mack. He has taken notice of their winning ways. I think a good season by the Illini would help tremendously in the recruitment of Dosunmu.

Illinois could always use more guard help in the future. If they can get Dosunmu to join the likes of Te’Jon Lucas, Trent Frazier and potentially Mark Smith, then the future in Champaign is going to be extremely bright.

I also believe that there will be more teams after Dosunmu before his recruitment is finished. He is a five-star recruit who is the No. 21 player in the class of 2018 and the No. 5 point guard. The blue bloods haven’t really started recruiting him yet. Those teams have had tremendous success in the Chicago area and that is a worry that I have.

Next: Mark Smith sets commitment time

But, when Dosunmu cuts his list in July, I have full confidence Illinois will be right in the thick of things for his commitment. Brad Underwood still has some work to do, but I believe the Illini will be there at the end.

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