Ayo Dosunmu discusses return from multiple injuries in Illinois' clutch win over Ohio State
Illinois may have just locked up a No. 1 seed for the NCAA Tournament, and the return of Ayo Dosunmu is a big reason why.
Though the Illini went 3-0 without Dosunmu, it was important to get the star playmaker back on the court to finish the regular season. That was even more evident in the back-and-forth top-10 battle with Ohio State Saturday.
Illinois entered halftime with a four-point lead over the Buckeyes, but the game was a struggle for all 40 minutes. Ohio State held a lead late before Dosunmu took over and finished off the game by scoring the final five points.
After the game, Dosunmu met with the media to discuss the win and returning from the injuries he sustained against Michigan State. He confirmed he is dealing with both a concussion and a broken nose but it was the concussion protocol that kept him sidelined.
Dosunmu also said he was able to hand-pick his protective facemask, opting for the black version because it makes him feel like a superhero.
Here’s what Dosunmu had to say as Illinois finished the regular season with a strong win:
"I feel like a super hero with a black mask on" pic.twitter.com/vNvEOOS7AV
— Illinois Basketball (@IlliniMBB) March 6, 2021
#illini Ayo Dosunmu said he had a broken nose and a concussion, but the concussion is what held him out.
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) March 6, 2021
#illini Ayo Dosunmu: This is exactly what I came back for and more.
— Joey Wagner (@mrwagner25) March 6, 2021
#illini Ayo Dosunmu: If you ask anyone on my team, I was so excited when my team won those three games without me because that makes my job so much easier.
— Joey Wagner (@mrwagner25) March 6, 2021
#illini Ayo Dosunmu said he picked out the mask. Said he liked that LeBron wore it. Had a clear one as a backup.
"I'm into comic books and stuff. I feel like a superhero with a black mask."
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) March 6, 2021
#illini Ayo Dosunmu: "I feel like we have the chance to win a national championship."
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) March 6, 2021
#illini Ayo Dosunmu said he thinks they should be co-champions in the Big Ten with Michigan.
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) March 6, 2021