5 key questions for the Illinois basketball team against Purdue

4. Can the Illini keep the free throw margin even?

Getting to the free throw line is something that can even games when one team has dominated the other. Illinois has been pretty good at getting to the charity stripe this season.

The Illini register 23.1 free throw attempts per game, which ranks No. 28 in the country. On Tuesday night, we go up against a Purdue squad that is actually better than that. The Boilermakers average 25.2 free throws per game, which ranks No. 7 in the country.

So, can Illinois make this game close from the free throw line? Can the Illini keep the free throw margin even against Purdue?

The free throw margin has been pretty tight in the last two games of this matchup. Last season, Purdue attempted 28 free throws while Illinois had 24 attempts from the charity stripe.

In the game back in January, the margin stayed the same. Purdue attempted 25 free throws while Illinois shot 21 free throws.

I believe Illinois can narrow that four-free throw margin on Tuesday night. While we have shot an average of 22.5 free throws per game in the last two matchups, Illinois has been on fire from the charity stripe as of late.

The Illini have attempted at least 30 free throws in three out of the past five games. In the other two contests, we attempted 25 and 27 free throws. Getting to the charity stripe has been a point of emphasis lately, and I think it will help take down Purdue.