Illinois Basketball: 5 observations from the Illini win over Minnesota

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CHAMPAIGN, IL – JANUARY 16: Illinois Fighting Illini guard Ayo Dosunmu (11) celebrates after hitting a three point shot during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Minnesota Golden Gophers and the Illinois Fighting Illini on January 16, 2019, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2. Ayo Dosunmu is probably a one-and-done

Before the game on Wednesday night against Minnesota, there were multiple NBA Mock Drafts that had Ayo Dosunmu as a first round pick. They projected him somewhere in the late first round. This would have been a stretch to start the year. I don’t think it is a stretch now, though.

Ayo has been sensational this season and especially over the last five games. Over the last five games, he has averaged 21 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.4 steals per game. He is also only averaging 2.6 turnovers per game as well. The Minnesota game was arguably his best game this season.

On Wednesday night, Ayo ended up dropping 23 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals in a blowout win over the Golden Gophers. He was 9-of-13 from the field and 3-of-4 from beyond the arc. He was the leader of this team and has clearly taken the reins of the program.

I think Ayo is an NBA caliber player. He probably needs to get a little stronger to bang around with the NBA talent, but he has all the tools to be pretty good at the next level. His ability to score, distribute and rebound, while playing great defense, will set him apart from others in the draft. This kid is special.

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