There has been a lot of chatter about Illinois getting hosed by the refs this season. No question this has been an issue almost as old as indoor plumbing -- the Illini have a long history of the calls going against them. Bruce Douglas vs. Kentucky's Beal in the 1984 Elite Eight, the Sean Higgins play in Seattle (maybe...?), phantom calls vs. Augie in 2005 vs. UNC in St. Louis, the out-of-bounds call vs. Miami in Illinois' last NCAA tourney appearance...the list goes on. We've been programmed to complain and for good reason.
But the fouls -- and more importantly, free throws -- have been more than fair this season.
--Illinois has shot more FTs than opponents in every Big Ten home game except one. Purdue made 10 trips to the line to only 8 by Illinois in an Illini rout that was never close.
--Lost in the end of game drama vs. Michigan State was the Illinois FT shooting. The Illini went 18-18 at the line in the 2nd half, getting more FTAs after halftime than MSU did the entire game (14).
--As expected, Illinois has shot fewer FTs than opponents in B1G road games with one exception, enjoying 16 FTAs at Maryland to just 11 for the Terps. UI was even in the double bonus before the 10:00 mark vs. the highly ranked and favored Terrapins.
--Illinois averages 7 more FTA vs. opponents in Big Ten home games.
--Illinois averages 4 fewer FTA vs. opponents in Big Ten road games.
--Illini FT% in Big Ten wins -- 76.6%
--Illini FT% in Big Ten losses -- 69.2% (61.6% before the 2nd half vs. MSU Tuesday night)
But the fouls -- and more importantly, free throws -- have been more than fair this season.
--Illinois has shot more FTs than opponents in every Big Ten home game except one. Purdue made 10 trips to the line to only 8 by Illinois in an Illini rout that was never close.
--Lost in the end of game drama vs. Michigan State was the Illinois FT shooting. The Illini went 18-18 at the line in the 2nd half, getting more FTAs after halftime than MSU did the entire game (14).
--As expected, Illinois has shot fewer FTs than opponents in B1G road games with one exception, enjoying 16 FTAs at Maryland to just 11 for the Terps. UI was even in the double bonus before the 10:00 mark vs. the highly ranked and favored Terrapins.
--Illinois averages 7 more FTA vs. opponents in Big Ten home games.
--Illinois averages 4 fewer FTA vs. opponents in Big Ten road games.
--Illini FT% in Big Ten wins -- 76.6%
--Illini FT% in Big Ten losses -- 69.2% (61.6% before the 2nd half vs. MSU Tuesday night)
