Writing Illini
Fansided

Illinois Basketball: 5 observations from the Illini loss to Ohio State

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS - FEBRUARY 24: Cedric Russell #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes drives to the basket against Alfonso Plummer #11 of the Illinois Fighting Illini during the second half at State Farm Center on February 24, 2022 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS - FEBRUARY 24: Cedric Russell #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes drives to the basket against Alfonso Plummer #11 of the Illinois Fighting Illini during the second half at State Farm Center on February 24, 2022 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 5
Next
Illinois basketball
Feb 24, 2022; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini center Kofi Cockburn (21) watches the ball bounce out of bounds during the first half against the Ohio State Buckeyes at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

In one of the biggest roller coaster games of the season, the Illinois basketball team couldn’t quite clip Ohio State on Thursday night.

The Illini dug themselves into quite a hole in the second half. A mix of cold shooting, foul trouble, and Ohio State getting hot enabled the Buckeyes to take a significant double-digit lead late in the game.

Illinois managed to play well down the stretch, though. This game went from a blowout to the legit chance of the Illini winning the game at the buzzer. Sadly, an Illini victory wasn’t the end result. Ohio State would take this game, 86-83.

Here are five observations from the Illinois basketball loss to Ohio State.

1. Hard to win with that free throw disparity

I have been criticized in the past for saying the refs were calling everything against the Illini. But when an opposing team is shooting nearly double the number of free throws, it is extremely hard to win a game.

At various points throughout the season, Illinois has dealt with massive free throw disparities. There have been four games this year where Illinois’ opponents have shot at least 10 more free throws in a game. Needless to say, we are 0-4 in those four contests.

While I think the refs aren’t calling the game fairly in regards to Kofi Cockburn, I do think it is on our guards to drive the ball more to create free throw attempts.

Illinois is about average with 18.3 free throw attempts per game this season. The numbers show that the more free throws we shoot, the more success on the court. This season, when Illinois shoots 17 or fewer free throws, the program is 5-7. When we shoot more than 17 free throws, we are 14-1.

On Thursday night against Ohio State, it was one of those off free throw shooting games. Illinois only attempted 17 free throws, which is on the wrong side of the stat mentioned above. On top of the Illini free throws being under our average, the Buckeyes shot 32 free throws in the game.

Just think about that for a second. Illinois only lost by three points despite Ohio State being gifted 15 more free shots at the basket. This free throw margin has to close if we want any chance at doing some damage this postseason.

Home/Illinois Basketball