Illinois Basketball: Ayo Dosunmu named to preseason All-Big Ten Team

Illinois basketball guard Ayo Dosunmu and Iowa’s Luka Garza were two unanimous selections to the 2020-21 preseason All-Big Ten Team.

With less than three weeks to go before the college basketball season officially tips off, Illinois returned to the national spotlight with the nation’s No. 8 ranking, its highest since the 2004-2005 national title appearance.

On Monday, the Big Ten released its 2020-21 preseason All-Big Ten Team. According to the conference’s release, including Illinois, seven other programs were recognized and they are as follows: Iowa, Indiana, Michigan State, Rutgers, Purdue, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

Most notably were the two members that were unanimous selections, as they are likely the conference’s two biggest high-profile players in Ayo and Garza. Both had NBA Draft aspirations but ultimately decided to return to their respective schools in search of a conference title and national championship in March 2021.

“Garza, along with Illinois junior guard Ayo Dosunmu, were unanimous selections to the Preseason All-Big Ten Team,” the release stated. “Illinois sophomore center Kofi Cockburn, Indiana sophomore forward Trayce Jackson-Davis, Iowa junior guard/forward Joe Wieskamp, Michigan State junior forward Aaron Henry, Minnesota junior guard Marcus Carr, Purdue junior forward Trevion Williams, Rutgers senior guard Geo Baker and Wisconsin senior forward Nate Reuvers also earned preseason accolades.”

Iowa and Illinois closed out the Big Ten regular-season schedule prior to the COVID-19 pandemic sweeping the world. The Illini would get the better of the Hawkeyes on that fateful early-March evening, but it was certainly a sign of things to come as the Big Ten had a shift in dominance over the course of a calendar year.

The Illinois basketball schedule is not out yet.

The basketball schedule is in the midst of being finalized, although the team does have some clarity on who it will be facing for non-conference play. It will culminate with a road tilt on December 8 against No. 5 Duke, which should have the nation buzzing.

As it stands now, Illinois will open the season at State Farm Center on November 25 for a multi-team invite, as the clock continues to tick toward a brand-new season.