Illinois Basketball: 4 observations from Illini win over North Carolina A&T
By Collin Allen
2. Ayo Dosunmu looked even better than he did last season
That was not a typo. The go-to player for the Illini during the 2019-20 season looked like an even better player in the season opener. Head coach Brad Underwood even warned us of this in a recent presser.
#illini Underwood on Ayo Dosunmu: "It's nice when your best player is also your most improved player."
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) November 24, 2020
There is a reason the Illini guard was included on the Naismith Award watch list, the Bob Cousy Award watch list, and was named an AP preseason All-American. Ayo lived up to his high expectations in Wednesday’s contest.
Ayo emphasized improving his three-point shot this offseason, and it seems as if he’s done just that. His improved jump-shot is a big reason as to why he looks much better so far in the very early year.
Ayo finished the 2019-20 season shooting only 29.2-percent from beyond the arc. But, on Wednesday, he shot 5-of-8 (62.5-percent) from three-point range. He was scoring from all levels of the floor vs. the Aggies, as not only was his three-point shot efficient, but the junior guard was also able to make crafty moves to the basket, creating scoring opportunities down low.
Whewww Ayo Dosunmu with the change of pace and inside hand scoop. Crafty pic.twitter.com/D6ZD87NUtG
— Max Carlin (@maxacarlin) November 25, 2020
Dosunmu set a new career-high with 28 points on the day, shooting 11-of-18 (61.1-percent) from the floor. The Illini guard would end up with a double-double on the day, as he would additionally total 10 rebounds and 5 assists.