Illinois Basketball: 4 big statistics from the Illini win over Nebraska

3. 21.7

There have been some legends come through the Illinois basketball program. Most of the all-time greats were before my time or around when I was being born, but I have had the privilege to see a few legends during my time.

It truly makes me happy to see a legend playing for the Illini right now. The current young generation of Illinois basketball fans hasn’t been able to watch a superstar for the Illini yet. But that has all changed with Ayo Dosunmu. This kid has been a true legend for the Orange and Blue and will etch his name in Illinois’ record book.

Ayo is averaging 21.7 points per game, which would finish No. 6 all-time in single-season scoring average for the Illini.

With Ayo dropping 31 points against Nebraska on Friday, his scoring average bumped up to 21.7 points per game. This is an insane number.

I don’t think many people realize how rare this accomplishment is for the Illinois basketball program. The single-season scoring average record book hasn’t changed since 1991. That means in the last 30 years, not a single Illinois player has averaged enough points to move up into the top 10 on this list.

If the season ended today, Ayo would cement himself in the top 10. He would be tied with Jim Dawson, who averaged 21.7 points in 1967. The most recent player to get up into the top 10 was Andy Kaufmann in 1991 when he averaged 21.3 points per game.

I think it is fair to say that Illinois doesn’t just have a legend on their hands, they have an all-time great. We, in fact, might be witnessing the greatest Illinois player in the last 30 years. Ayo is a true legend.