Illinois Basketball: 5 observations from the Illini win over Michigan State

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NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 26: Illinois Fighting Illini guard Ayo Dosunmu (11) in action during the Big Ten Super Saturday College Basketball game between the Maryland Terrapins and the Illinois Fighting Illini on January 26, 2019 at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

4. Ayo was clutch in the big moment

Illinois has had some solid players come through the program over the last decade. I have really enjoyed watching the Illini, but wow is it fun seeing a caliber of player like Ayo Dosunmu suit up for the Orange and Blue every night.

A caliber of player like Ayo doesn’t come around very often for the Illinois basketball team. He was a top 35 recruit this past year, and Brad Underwood was able to land him out of Chicago. The ability to snag Ayo is starting to pay off for the Illini.

Over the last 11 games, Ayo has averaged 17.4 points per game. He has been sensational and continued that great play against Michigan State on Tuesday night. He finished the game with 24 points on 8-of-14 shooting from the field and 4-of-8 from three-point land.

In addition to Ayo’s great shooting, he was clutch down the stretch for the Illini. Illinois managed to score 20 points in the final 8:25 of the game against the Spartans. Ayo accounted for 10 of the 20 points for the Illini, and he assisted on two points as well.

With the game tied at 68-all, Ayo hit a three-pointer with 2:35 to go in the game. He then came back down, after he stole the ball, and hit another three-pointer to extend the Illinois lead to six points with 1:57 left in the contest.

Ayo was sensational on Tuesday night. He came up clutch for the Illini. I sure hope he stays around another year because I would love to see what he could do for this program.

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