Writing Illini
Fansided

Illinois Basketball: 4 keys for the Illini to beat Nebraska

By Rees Woodcock

EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 23: Ayo Dosunmu #11 of the Illinois Fighting Illini reacts to a call in the second half of the game against the Michigan State Spartans at Breslin Center on February 23, 2021 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 23: Ayo Dosunmu #11 of the Illinois Fighting Illini reacts to a call in the second half of the game against the Michigan State Spartans at Breslin Center on February 23, 2021 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 4
Next
Illinois basketball
CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS – DECEMBER 14: Kofi Cockburn #21 of the Illinois Fighting Illini on the free throw line in the game against the Old Dominion Monarchs at State Farm Center on December 14, 2019 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

Illinois basketball is gearing up for round two against Nebraska on Thursday night.

The first round was a battle, as Illinois was taken to overtime only to come out ahead 77-72. This scare against one of the worst teams in the nation should have been a wake-up call for the Illini. In the second installment of this matchup, I fully expect Illinois to come out much stronger.

Here are four keys for the Illini to beat Nebraska.

1. We have to shoot better from the free throw line

This isn’t just about the way Illinois shot from the foul line in the previous game against Michigan State. The Illini are one of the worst teams in the nation when it comes to free throws, and that needs to start changing.

On Tuesday, Illinois hit rock bottom with their 55.9-percent shooting from the charity stripe. Shooting 34 free throws will usually enable you to win games, but only making 19-of-34 will make you think about what could have been.

This bad free throw shooting seems to happen more often than not, though. Let’s go back to the last Nebraska game. Illinois had to win the second half so they could just go into overtime against the Cornhuskers the first time around.

What hamstrung the Illini in this game? Bad free throw shooting. Illinois was able to get to the free throw line frequently, taking 22 attempts but only hitting 14 of their shots. That comes out to 63.6-percent.

You can’t expect to win games against elite teams if you can’t convert at the foul line. But what is even scarier is the fact Illinois is barely squeaking out victories against bad teams because they can’t make their free throws. The Illini will go as far as their free throw shooting will take them.

Home/Illinois Basketball