Illinois Basketball: 4 observations from the Illini win over Nebraska

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Feb 12, 2021; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Ayo Dosunmu (11) scores against Nebraska Cornhuskers center Eduardo Andre (35) and guard Thorir Thorbjarnarson (34) in the second half at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Ayo is a man amongst boys

I have been saying for quite some time this is Ayo Dosunmu’s last run with the Illinois basketball program. He is going to the NBA. Well, on Friday night, I think Ayo solidified that he belonged with the best of the best among NBA prospects.

Ayo was out there against Nebraska dicing up the Cornhuskers defense. He was sensational in just about every facet of the game. And when it mattered the most, he came through for the Illini.

When the final horn sounded on Friday night, Ayo finished with a stat line of 31 points, 6 assists, 4 steals and 3 rebounds. He was 12-of-23 from the field and 2-of-6 from three-point range. It was, arguably, his best game as a member of the Illinois basketball team.

Can Illinois sustain with Ayo having to score this many points? The answer is no. The rest of the team has to start pitching in. This game wasn’t a case of Ayo hogging the ball. Nebraska was playing great defense, so Ayo had to take over the game late.

Ayo’s late-game theatrics were amazing as well. Illinois was down six points with 2:35 to go in the game. The superstar guard then took over the game. Ayo went on an 8-2 run by himself to send the game into overtime.

In the overtime period, Ayo scored 7 out of the 11 Illinois points. He actually outscored the Nebraska team in overtime by himself. It was something of legend.

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