:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68873882/usa_today_15619172.0.jpg)
Ayo Dosunmu will likely miss multiple games after breaking his nose during Tuesday’s loss to Michigan State, according to multiple reports, including The Athletic.
Illinois star Ayo Dosunmu has a broken nose, a source confirmed to The Athletic. He's been fitted for a mask but it's unclear when the potential All-American will return to the floor for the No. 5 Illini, who host Nebraska tonight. Dosunmu suffered the injury at Michigan State.
— Brian Hamilton (@_Brian_Hamilton) February 25, 2021
The Athletic reports Dosunmu has been fitted for a mask. The team confirmed Thursday afternoon that Dosunmu had suffered a “facial injury” and will not return against Nebraska on Thursday night for his pseudo-Senior Night. Dosunmu is widely expected to declare for the NBA Draft once again after this season and be picked.
“Ayo is eager to play,” said head coach Brad Underwood in a statement. “We are hopeful for his return to the lineup.”
In the below video, you can see when Dosunmu was hurt against the Spartans. The play was called for a Flagrant 2 and Mady Sissoko was ejected.
Here are the two plays where Mady Sissoko hit #Illini Ayo Dosunmu and Kofi Cockburn in the head.
— Hoop Informatics (@HoopInformatics) February 24, 2021
The hit on Kofi was not deemed flagrant and later he made a violent play on Ayo. https://t.co/dEWrhPcSMp pic.twitter.com/qWnprztkxT
After playing the Big Ten’s worst team on Thursday (Nebraska, a team that Illinois notably needed Dosunmu to beat just two weeks ago), the Illini finish the regular season with a gauntlet of road games. They play Wisconsin at the Kohl Center on Saturday before roadies against No. 3 Michigan and No. 4 Ohio State next week before the Big Ten Tournament.
Let’s hope Ayo is able to get back on the court and be himself soon.