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Illinois Basketball: 5 observations from the Illini loss to Indiana

By Rees Woodcock

Mar 11, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini center Kofi Cockburn (21) moves to shoot the ball while Indiana Hoosiers forward Race Thompson (25) defends in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini center Kofi Cockburn (21) moves to shoot the ball while Indiana Hoosiers forward Race Thompson (25) defends in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 11: (L-R) Alfonso Plummer #11, Andre Curbelo #5, and Trent Frazier #1 of the Illinois Fighting Illini watch a free throw during the second half of a Men’s Big Ten Tournament Quarterfinals game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 11, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Indiana Hoosiers won the game 65-63 over the Illinois Fighting Illini. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 11: (L-R) Alfonso Plummer #11, Andre Curbelo #5, and Trent Frazier #1 of the Illinois Fighting Illini watch a free throw during the second half of a Men’s Big Ten Tournament Quarterfinals game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 11, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Indiana Hoosiers won the game 65-63 over the Illinois Fighting Illini. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images) /

2. You can’t expect to win with that free throw percentage

Overall, Illinois didn’t play a good game. There were many areas on the court that they struggled with, and one of the most crucial areas was at the free throw line.

It was rough to see Illinois go to the charity stripe on Friday against Indiana. There was only one player that I was impressed with from the free throw line, and that was Kofi Cockburn. When Kofi impresses me the most shooting foul shots, then you know you have a problem.

Kofi did make 7-of-8 from the free throw line, though. He was practicing his free throws the most during warm-ups, so this doesn’t come as a huge surprise. But he came through in a big spot. His free throws kept the game close.

As a team, though, Illinois was putrid from the free throw line. We were 15-of-23, which comes out to 65.2%. Andre Curbelo had the roughest night from the charity stripe. He would finish the game just 3-of-7 and missed a few down the stretch that would have helped win the game.

While Coleman Hawkins had a pretty good game, he was only 4-of-7 from the free throw line. He shot and made the same exact number of three-point shots, but three-pointers are further away and are guarded. That makes zero sense.

If we want to win games in the NCAA tournament, we have to make our foul shots. If we just go 18-of-23 from the charity stripe, which is 78%, then we advance to the next round. Make your free throws.

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