Illinois Basketball: Ayo Dosunmu’s Three Most Clutch Shots

Illinois Basketball: Ayo Dosunmu’s Three Most Clutch Shots.

Again, Illinois Basketball needs some good vibes. Though they successfully prolonged RayJ Dennis’s recruitment after a noisy week, hope is dwindling. It just feels that if Illinois was the choice all along, the choice would have been made. However, Baylor has emerged as a potential suitor. The Bears have a lot to sell, and are currently waiting for their point guard, Adam Flagler to make a decision. Per sources, it seems that Flagler is leaning towards staying in the draft. Once Flagler makes the decision to leave, Baylor may be the winner of these sweepstakes.

Let’s talk about a completely different topic. Ayo Dosunmu was arguably the best player to be on Illinois’ campus in the past decade. His time in Champaign was an absolute joy to watch. He had multiple shots in huge moments that he will always be remembered for.

3) 3/8/20 vs Iowa. Clinching a win against Iowa and a top 4 Big Ten Tournament seed.

This game against Iowa was memorable for many reasons. Specifically for Ayo, this was his last game in front of a State Farm Center crowd. Ayo may not have won the game with the shot, however it saved the game. Illinois was up by double digits as the second half progressed, however Iowa stormed back to make it 76-74 with 36 seconds left.  However, go to 4:23 in the video below. Ayo Dosunmu calmly knocked down his deadly mid-range jumper to give Illinois a cushion.

Ayo’s shot helped seal a victory in one of the most memorable conference games in the last 5 years or so.

2. 1/8/20 at Wisconsin. Ayo Drops Brad Davidson.

It is crazy that Wisconsin was viewed as a house of horrors for Illinois. Wisconsin absolutely dominated Illinois Basketball during the John Groce era, and games vs Wisconsin always seemed to go poorly. However, the tide shifted at a very random time. Illinois was 10-5 at the time, and had just lost important games to Missouri, Miami and Michigan State. At this time, Illinois transitioned their offensive and defensive playbooks and were heavily rewarded. Illinois landed their big time victory at Wisconsin in unbelievable fashion.

It all stemmed from Ayo Dosunmu’s three pointer. Dosunmu absolutely dropped Brad Davidson and swished a three pointer to ice a monumental victory for Brad Underwood.

1. 1/25/20 at Michigan. Game.

This one is kind of self-explanatory. Ayo Dosunmu hit the buzzer beater that had all Illinois fans feeling some type of way. Additionally, this was on the road against Michigan. Again, Michigan had completely dominated Illinois for the past decade or so, however the tide turned that year.

The 2019-20 team will forever be known as the first team in a while to give Illinois fans some hope. It was so unfortunate that the COVID-19 pandemic cut their season short, as they were peaking at the right time. Who knows how far that team would have gone.