Illinois Basketball: A 2-0 week has the Illini on the rise in the AP Top 25

After a solid week of winning, the Illinois basketball team finds themselves moving up in the latest AP Top 25 poll.

Illinois had lost three out of their last five contests entering this past week. Needing to get back on track, the Illini rattled off two wins, one of which was on the road, in Big Ten play. This 2-0 week landed Illinois at the No. 15 spot in the updated AP Top 25, which is a three-spot jump from last week.

I would really put this rise in the polls on the shoulders of Ayo Dosunmu. The kid has been an absolute superstar for the Orange and Blue this season and especially this past week.

In the road win over Penn State, Ayo dropped 30 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals and 1 block. He then took that great performance back home where the Illini took down the Hoosiers. Ayo slayed Indiana with 30 points, 5 assists and 2 rebounds in the victory.

So, just in the last two games, Ayo has averaged 30 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds. But what is more impressive is his efficiency. Ayo has shot a combined 20-of-35 from the field, which comes out to 57.1-percent. He is also knocking down his three-pointers – 60-percent – and his free throws – 87.5-percent – during this stretch.

Look for Ayo to continue to impress the masses with his play. He is climbing the National Player of the Year watch list rapidly and should be one of the top contenders by year’s end.

Where do the other Big Ten foes weigh in?

The Big Ten has come down to Earth a little bit with Wisconsin leading the way at the No. 6 spot nationally. They are 8-1 this season with their only loss coming to Marquette on the road by two points.

Next you will find Iowa who now checks in at No. 10 after a six-spot drop. The Hawkeyes were 1-1 this past week with a home win over Purdue and a road loss to Minnesota.

No. 14 Rutgers dropped three spots after their loss to Ohio State on the road this past week. Michigan checks in at No. 16, which is a climb three spots after beating Nebraska in their lone game of the week. The Wolverines are 7-0 this season. Michigan State is the next team and they are No. 17 in the nation. The Spartans dropped their only game from the past week to Wisconsin, so they fell five spots.

Northwestern, Minnesota and Ohio State round out the Big Ten teams in the top 25. The Wildcats go from unranked to the No. 19 team in the nation after taking down both Indiana and Ohio State this past week. The Gophers are also a new addition to the top 25, checking in at No. 21 after beating a top-five Iowa program. And the Buckeyes ended up dropping two spots down to No. 25 after a loss to the Wildcats.

While the Big Ten doesn’t have a top-five team anymore, the conference does have nine teams in the top 25. Whoever emerges as the Big Ten regular-season champion is going to earn the title. This is the toughest I have seen the conference in years.