Gonzaga vs. Illinois: Key storylines to watch for the Maui Invitational matchup

Introduction to Ayo Dosunmu

While the Duke freshmen gets a lot of the attention, there are plenty of other first-year studs putting up gaudy numbers. One of them is Ayo Dosunmu, a top-35 recruit from Chicago. The hometown kid was the highest-rated recruit Coach Underwood ever got a commitment from and looks to be a building block for the Illini’s future.

That is if he sticks around, which is very much in doubt. Dosunmu has looked elite in the first couple of games this season, scoring 18 versus Evansville and a game-high 25 against Georgetown. Even more impressive is his efficiency and lack of desire to force things. The high-IQ the freshman displays is huge and with a healthy Illinois team could cause some trouble in the Big Ten.

Dosunmu will be the No. 1 objective in Gonzaga’s defensive game plans, as they hope to slow him down. He plays a similar game to TJ Starks, who played very well against the Bulldogs in the first half when the Aggies kept it close in Spokane. Dosunmu’s ability to slash into the paint could cause some issues for a Gonzaga team who tends to foul.

With Illinois likely to finish near the bottom in the Big Ten this season, there won’t be many primetime opportunities for Dosunmu to shine. With the games on ESPN and ESPN2 in the next few days, he’ll have the stage to put on giant performances – even if the team loses.