Illinois Basketball: Illini player assessment from the two-game losing streak

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CHAMPAIGN, IL – JANUARY 11: Illinois guard Ayo Dosunmu (11) shoots a free throw during a college basketball game between the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and Illinois Fighting Illini on January 11, 2020 at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Ill (Photo by James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Pass

Ayo Dosunmu

I have Ayo Dosunmu listed in the pass category but, honestly, he is on the bubble of needs improvement. I haven’t been thrilled with his play despite his scoring being up.

Ayo has averaged 13.5 points, 3.5 assists and 3 rebounds per game over the last two contests. His numbers are up there with the best on the team, so that is why he is passing. But I do have a couple of issues.

I don’t like Ayo’s 2.5 turnovers per game. That is the third-highest on the team. I would like his shooting to be a little better too. He is 10-of-25 – 40-percent – from the field. He is also 2-of-9 from three-point range and 5-of-8 from the charity stripe. Both are numbers I would like to see increase.

Overall, the back-to-back losses aren’t falling on Ayo. He is an asset to this team right now. He belongs in the pass category.

Andres Feliz

There is only one player who has stood out to me over the past two games and that is Andres Feliz. He has been the best player for the Illini during this stretch.

Feliz is averaging 14.5 points, which leads the team, 5.5 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1 assist per game over the past two contests. His shoot has been amazing too. He is 12-of-25 – 48-percent – from the field and 2-of-7 from the three-point arc. He is also a perfect 3-of-3 from the free throw line. I would say Feliz has been the main reason we have been in the past two games.

Alan Griffin

Another player who passes in my book is Alan Griffin. He had a shaky start after coming back from his suspension, but he broke out of his shell against Maryland.

Over the past two games, Griffin has averaged 7.5 points, 7 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game, and he is coming off the bench. Those are impressive numbers for someone who is getting reserve minutes.

I believe Griffin is still going above and beyond what he is being asked to do. He isn’t just putting up points, but he is also leading the team in rebounds in the two losses. This kid has a lot of heart and soul. He belongs in the pass category.

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