Illinois vs. Rutgers: 5 storyline for matchup of top-25 Big Ten teams

Two of the least successful teams from the line

Rutgers loss four of the seven games they played that were decided by six points or less last season. Four games are significant to a team that finished three wins behind the co-Big Ten Regular Season Champions. Rutgers managed an 11-9 record despite their 64 percent shooting from the free-throw line was better than only Nebraska in the Big Ten.

This season is substantially worse, as the Scarlet Knights are connecting on just 57 percent of their free-throws, which is nine percent worse than their closest Big Ten rival Nebraska. This game can easily come down to free-throws as Illinois surrenders 20.4 free-throws per game, in a stat category where less is better, Illinois sits at No. 223.

The Fighting Illini have the tendency to keep games closer than they should be with their lack of success from the charity stripe as well. In their two-point victory over Ohio and in their loss to Baylor, the Fighting Illini shot 62.5 percent, while in their loss to Minnesota they shot worse than 61 percent. To give Rutgers credit where it is due, they only allow 15.6 free-throw attempts per game which is No. 81 in the nation.

The most important factor of the free-throws is that somebody has to pick up fouls to put guys on the line, and foul trouble looks to be a positive by-product that can come from all the missed free-throws.