![Jan 21, 2022; College Park, Maryland, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Da'Monte Williams (20) shoots over ]Maryland Terrapins guard Eric Ayala (5) during the first half at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/b6cd262ffe7138352d0112152a396b84c791a9b29580c6732ec72505a08c0534.jpg "Jan 21, 2022; College Park, Maryland, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Da'Monte Williams (20) shoots over ]Maryland Terrapins guard Eric Ayala (5) during the first half at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports")
4. Taking advantage of the charity stripe
I have seen some pretty good shooters come through the Illinois basketball program. The Illini might have one of the best free throw shooters on their hands right now, though.
It is important to be able to convert from the charity stripe. If you can make your free throws, then you have a shot to win just about every game. Alfonso Plummer is Illinois’ go-to free throw shooter down the stretch.
Plummer is setting a pace at the free throw line that is extremely impressive. There are a couple of eye-popping stats when it comes to Plummer’s free throw shooting ability.
The first stat is the fact he is one of the best free throw shooters in the country. Right now, Plummer is hitting his free throws at a clip of 92.9% this season, which ranks No. 12 in the entire country. That is an incredible number.
But the numbers get even better with Plummer. I looked at the Illinois record book, and if he can keep up the great free shooting, he is going to be the greatest single-season free throw shooter in the history of the Illinois basketball program. Brian Cook currently has the record at 87.3% from the free throw line.
When Illinois needs to convert down the stretch, Plummer is the man. He is not only one of the best free throw shooters in the nation, but he could end up being the greatest in Illinois history. That is eye-popping.