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Illinois star Ayo Dosunmu out indefinitely with broken nose suffered in Michigan State loss

The Illini will be without star guard and Wooden Award candidate Ayo Dosunmu for the foreseeable future.

Dosunmu, No. 5 Illinois announced on Thursday, is out indefinitely after suffering a facial injury near the end of its 81-72 loss to Michigan State on Tuesday. Dosunmu, per The Athletic's Brian Hamilton, suffered a broken nose and has been fitted with a mask.

It’s unclear when Dosunmu will be able to return for Illinois. He didn't play Thursday in their 86-70 win against Nebraska. The Illini have three games left on their regular-season schedule after Thursday — including top-5 matchups with No. 3 Michigan and No. 4 Ohio State.

“Ayo is eager to play,” Illinois coach Brad Underwood said Thursday, via Andy Katz. “We are hopeful for his return to our lineup.”

Dosunmu hit hard vs. Michigan State

Dosunmu took a brutal shot to the face on Tuesday night in East Lansing, one that resulted in Michigan State big man Mady Sissoko picking up a Flagrant 2 foul and an ejection from the contest.

Dosunmu, with just four minutes left in the game, drove to the rim for a layup but lost the ball as he was making his way to the hoop. His momentum, however, still carried him up to the basket.

Sissoko met him in the air and ended up smacking him straight in the face, sending Dosunmu to the floor in clear pain.

Dosunmu stayed on the ground for some time and received medical attention on the spot, but finished out the night. Sissoko, however, was ejected. Dosunmu finished the game with 17 points and nine rebounds.

Dosunmu is averaging 21 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists for Illinois this season, and has put himself in the conversation — along with Iowa’s Luka Garza — for both the Big Ten’s Player of the Year award and the Wooden Award. Should he miss more than just the Nebraska game, the Illini could struggle with such a daunting schedule to close out the regular season.

Illinois Fighting Illini guard Ayo Dosunmu
Illinois guard Ayo Dosunmu is out indefinitely after suffering a broken nose. (Adam Ruff/Icon Sportswire/Getty Images) (Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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