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Illinois Basketball: 5 observations from the Illini loss to Michigan

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 10: Isaiah Livers #4 of the Michigan Wolverines brings the ball up court as Ayo Dosunmu #11 of the Illinois Fighting Illini defends during the first half at State Farm Center on January 10, 2019 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 10: Isaiah Livers #4 of the Michigan Wolverines brings the ball up court as Ayo Dosunmu #11 of the Illinois Fighting Illini defends during the first half at State Farm Center on January 10, 2019 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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CHAMPAIGN, IL – JANUARY 10: Illinois Fighting Illini Head Coach Brad Underwood talks with Big Ten Official Steve McJunkins during a break in the action in the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Illinois Fighting Illini on January 10, 2019, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL – JANUARY 10: Illinois Fighting Illini Head Coach Brad Underwood talks with Big Ten Official Steve McJunkins during a break in the action in the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Illinois Fighting Illini on January 10, 2019, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

4. Free throw disparity killed us again

I feel like this slide could be in every one of these observation articles. The free throw disparity absolutely kills this Illinois basketball team in just about every game. It reared its ugly head again on Thursday night.

Illinois is actually one of the worst teams in the nation when it comes to free throws. They are only averaging shooting 16.6 free throws per game, which is No. 286 in the nation. These are literally free shots at the basket and we aren’t shooting as many as 285 other programs.

The Illini are even worse when it comes to how many free throws are being allowed per game. Illinois is currently allowing the opposing team to shoot an average of 26 free throws per game. That ranks No. 343 in the nation out of 353 programs. So, if you break it down, the Illini are giving up 26 free throw attempts per game and only shooting 16.6 free throws per game. That is, potentially, 10 points right there.

The free throw gap was even bigger on Thursday night against Michigan. Illinois only shot seven free throws all night. The Wolverines were able to get to the free throw line 22 times. There ended up being a 14-point difference at the charity stripe. That is the game right there.

Illinois can’t continue giving up so many free throws and taking so few. This is a huge reason the team is 4-12 right now. This stat needs to improve.

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