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Illinois Basketball: 4 reasons Illini G Ayo Dosunmu wins the Wooden Award

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - MARCH 01: Ayo Dosunmu #11 of the Illinois Fighting Illini celebrates after a three point basket during the second half against the Indiana Hoosiers at State Farm Center on March 1, 2020 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - MARCH 01: Ayo Dosunmu #11 of the Illinois Fighting Illini celebrates after a three point basket during the second half against the Indiana Hoosiers at State Farm Center on March 1, 2020 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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Feb 16, 2021; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Ayo Dosunmu (11) shoots against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half at the State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 16, 2021; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Ayo Dosunmu (11) shoots against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half at the State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Pure numbers

After another great performance which resulted in a triple-double, Ayo Dosunmu continues to show why he should be the John R. Wooden Award winner.

Ayo’s numbers are up there with the best of the best in college basketball. If you just look at what he has done statistically, you will see he is up there in just about every category and he is the only one who can say that.

Scoring is the first stat I want to look at. After the Minnesota game, Ayo is now averaging 21.2 points per game, which ranks No. 10 in the nation. The only player who is beating Ayo in the scoring department is Luka Garza, who is averaging 24.7 points per game. The other three competitors; Drew Timme (19.1), Corey Kispert (19.0) and Jared Butler (17.0).

Ayo is No. 2 out of 5 in scoring

Now let’s take a peek at rebounding. Ayo is a guard, so he probably shouldn’t be competitive in this category considering his competition has some solid size. That isn’t the case at all. Ayo currently averages 6.2 rebounds per game.

There are only two players out of the five who are beating Ayo in rebounding. Garza is pulling down 8.4 rebounds per game, as he should be at 6-foot-11. Timme is pulling down 7.1 rebounds per game and, again, he should be at 6-foot-10. So, the only two players who are beating Ayo are both either 6-foot-10 or 6-foot-11, and the margin between Garza and Ayo is only 2.2 rebounds. The other two competitors; Kispert (4.8) and Butler (3.3).

Ayo is No. 3 out of 5 in rebounds

Now onto assists. Ayo is one of the best ball distributors in the country. He likes to get his teammates involved, and this is an asset that not many players have at the college level. Most players are just trying to get their own. Not Ayo, though, as he is averaging 5.3 assists per game.

Ayo leads all five players in the assist category. Butler is right behind Ayo, as he averages 5.2 assists per game. This is one of the few numbers where Butler is actually competitive. The other three competitors; Kispert (1.9), Timmer (1.9) and Garza (1.8).

Ayo is No. 1 out of 5 in assists

The final number I want to look at is steals. Forcing turnovers with your ability to take the ball away is extremely important in team success. Ayo has averaged 1.1 steals per game this season. This number is only second to Butler who currently sits with 2.4 steals per game. The other three competitors; Kispert (0.9), Timme (0.7) and Garza (0.5).

Ayo is No. 2 out of 5 in steals

In most of the main statistical categories, you will find Ayo as one of the top players among the five serious contenders for the Wooden Award. This kid fills up the stat sheet while winning, and that is more than you can say about the other players vying for the honor of best collegiate player.

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