Illinois Basketball: Predicting the postseason awards for 2017-18
Ralf Woods Free Throw Trophy
The winner of this award in 2016-17 was Malcolm Hill who shot 80-percent from the free throw line in the Big Ten. That is a pretty good number and it will be interesting to see who emerges as a consistent presence at the charity stripe this season.
An option from the returning players for the Illini is Leron Black. Black finished last season shooting 72.2-percent from the free throw line. I have a hard time believing a big man like Black will take home this award for the 2017-18 season, though.
In the exhibition game against Eastern Illinois, the leading free throw shooter was shared by three players. Black, Kipper Nichols and Mark Smith all shared the lead shooting 100-percent from the free throw line.
Looking at who came in and who performed for the Illini in the preseason, I think we are going to have a newcomer win the free throw shooting award this season. The honor of best free throw shooter in the Big Ten will go to Mark Smith.
Smith was a perfect 6-of-6 from the free throw line in the Eastern Illinois exhibition game, and during his senior season in high school, Smith shot 82-percent from the charity stripe. He is going to be sensational from everywhere on the court included at the free throw line.