Illinois Basketball: 4 keys for the Illini to beat the Michigan Wolverines

4. We have to hit free throws

Illinois seems to have a few flaws this season, but they are still winning at a high clip. One of the biggest flaws for the Illini is at the free throw line.

This season, the Illini are hitting 68.8-percent of their free throw attempts, which ranks in the bottom half of the nation at No. 239. This percentage isn’t skewed either. Illinois has been absolutely terrible from the charity stripe.

There have been 10 games this season where Illinois shot under 70-percent from the free throw line. In those 10 contests, the Illini have a record of 6-4. That means when Illinois shoots at least 70-percent from the charity stripe, the team is 12-2.

What is this means is Illinois must convert at the free throw line to be able to beat Michigan. They can’t take the free throw line for granted.

Kofi Cockburn has attempted 167 free throws this season, which is easily the most on the Illinois basketball team. He is only converting his foul shots at a clip of 56.9-percent. He isn’t the only one who worries me at the foul line, though.

Da’Monte Williams and Adam Miller both shoot under 70-percent from the charity stripe. While the quantity of free throws doesn’t compare to Kofi, every point matters. This will definitely be the case on Tuesday night against Michigan.

Covert free throws when you get a chance. It is that simple. We have to hit our foul shots at a clip of 70-percent or better on Tuesday night. If this happens, then I believe we have a strong chance of coming out with a win.