Happy days are here again
Dosunmu keeps No. 5 Illinois smiling after triple-double fuels a rout of Minnesota
When Illinois coach Brad Underwood surveys his team's postseason potential, he looks for a few intangibles.
How efficient are practices? How infrequently does he have to stop to make corrections? Are they so in-tune with each other that they can focus strictly on the playbook?
But there's something else. “It sounds corny,” Underwood said. “It's the smiles.”
Enjoying practices, loving the games, savoring their time together. Smiling can signify success.
No. 5 Illinois was beaming Saturday after its 94-63 victory at Minnesota, a team that had lost only once at home before the Illini tore through The Barn.
Ayo Dosunmu became the first Illinois player in history to record two triple-doubles. But he looked joyful as he clapped ferociously before breaking into a smile after he tossed an alley-oop to Giorgi Bezhanishvili for a dunk.
Trent Frazier, who had a career-high six steals, followed the ball he released from half court as it traveled through the net at the halftime buzzer. He celebrated with a shout and smile as he chest-bumped Andre Curbelo.
Center Kofi Cockburn threw down a monstrous one-handed slam and then grinned as if it were the first time the 7-footer dunked.
Illinois (16-5, 12-3 Big Ten), which won its seventh straight, clicked from start to finish and displayed just how much fun it is not just to win but to dominate. The Illini are having a blast becoming one of the most feared teams in college basketball.
“We're enjoying the fact we're playing basketball,” Dosunmu said. “I always tell my teammates, ‘Enjoy this moment. Don't let COVID or not being able to see your family affect you because this is memories that are going to last for a lifetime.' ”
Few will forget Dosunmu's day. He scored 19 points with 10 assists and 10 rebounds against the Gophers, playing with a combination of ease and flair to become the first player in program history to record two career triple-doubles. He did it in a four-game span.
He was the first Illini since Sergio McClain in 2001 to notch a triple-double when he had 21 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds to help Illinois beat Wisconsin on Feb. 6.
If the national player of the year race were the Oscars, Dosunmu is starting to resemble Meryl Streep. While Luka Garza is considered a favorite for the award by many, Dosunmu's candidacy is gaining traction.
The way Underwood sees it, Dosunmu is a clear winner.
“Damn, I don't know who's any better,” Underwood said. “I know guys have more publicity and more marketing. But the numbers don't lie and the productivity doesn't lie and the winning doesn't lie. I have no idea who in the hell anybody thinks is better than him right now.”
Dosunmu said his concerns lie with victories alone.
“You do whatever it takes to win,” he said, “and at the end of the day everything takes care of itself.”
It's true Minnesota (13-10, 6-10) is struggling. Gabe Kalscheur is out with a broken finger. Liam Robbins, who was held scoreless, is hobbled with an ankle injury.
But beating a team on the road by more than 30 points is something to behold at this point of the season.
Illinois played efficiently on offense with 56% shooting. Its defense was lock-down, as Frazier (15 points) held Marcus Carr to 3-of-11 shooting. Illinois outrebounded the Gophers 37-27, beat them 31-8 on the fast break and outscored them 48-20 in the paint.
The Illini look like a team that is peaking at the right time.
“We know the sense of urgency we have to play with,” Dosunmu said. “The regular season is winding down. We know in order to accomplish our goals, there's no room for error.”
Illinois has five regular-season games remaining before the Big Ten Tournament begins March 10. Four are on the road — a product of rescheduled games because of COVID-19 issues on opposing
teams.
Underwood cut off a question about that challenge.
“Who cares?” he said. “Line ‘em up. I’m so tired of talking about scheduling. Bring them on. It doesn’t matter who we play. This league’s a monster. Next! Who’s next? This team is going to have to fight. We’re going to have to play. We could sit and make excuses (about) the three games canceled were road games. I don’t care. Let’s go.”
Illinois was reaching a zenith last season around this time too. The Illini had won 21 games and were on a seven-game tear as they entered the Big Ten Tournament before it was canceled because of the COVID-19 outbreak.
As good as last season’s squad looked in March, Underwood said this team isn’t comparable in February. It’s better.
“Two completely different teams, two different scenarios,” he said. “We were fighting for a position in the tournament not to be playing on the first day. Our goals are different. Our agenda is different. We’re a better basketball team than we were then.”
Against Minnesota, it wasn’t just Dosunmu. Frazier scored 15 points, making three 3-pointers. Cockburn scored 22 points with six rebounds and made all four of his free-throw attempts. Jacob Grandison’s 12 points were his most in an Illini uniform. Bezhanishvili scored nine points in 12 minutes off the bench.
“Whoever was on the court gave us great energy, playing their butts off for 40 minutes,” Frazier said. “As a team, we’re treating every game like the tournament. Playing with urgency is going to be the biggest thing with everyone staying focused and staying hungry.”
Sounds awfully businesslike, but that’s what Underwood appreciates about this Illini team.
“Every day, we know the difference between serious work and playful fun,” Underwood said. “We have great guys.”