Seven games into the Big Ten season, Illinois is still searching for its first home conference win. Nonetheless, the Illini are currently tied for fifth in the standings.

Despite losing all three conference games at home, Illinois is 4-0 on the road against Big Ten opponents for the first time since 2000-01 after squeezing by Minnesota 91-86 on Monday. Here are some answers as to why the Illini have thrived on the road while continuing to struggle at home:

Strength of schedule

Illinois’ home Big Ten opponents this season — Purdue, Michigan State and Northwestern — have a combined record of 43-17. On the road, the Illini opponents — Ohio State, Northwestern, Nebraska and Minnesota — have a combined record of 48-33.

Close losses

In addition to the more difficult home slate for Illinois, the team has also struggled to pull out close wins in Champaign. Illinois has lost by an average of three points per game in its three conference losses.

On the road, the Illini have won by an average of 9 points per game. Despite the large winning margin, Illinois has won single-digit games at Ohio State and Minnesota.

“We played really well against Purdue, we had chances, had a lead against Michigan State late, had a lead against Northwestern. Just gotta be able to finish it off,” Illinois head coach Matt Bollant said. “In all three of those games, we had leads in the last six minutes. Just gotta step up and make plays like we have on the road and do that at home.”

Rebounding on the road

One of the biggest indicators of an Illini win or loss this season has been rebounding. Illinois is 7-0 when it outrebounds its opponent. The Illini have yet to outrebound a Big Ten foe at home.

In its first conference home game, Illinois was outrebounded 49-29 in a one-point overtime loss to then-No. 14 Purdue, which currently sits second in conference standings. Michigan State also abused Illinois on the boards, outrebounding the Illini 49-22. Despite grabbing around half the amount of rebounds as its opponents in the two games, they only lost by a combined five points.

Illinois has outrebounded every opponent on the road with the exception of Northwestern. The Illini forced 34 turnovers against the Wildcats.

Even with troubles at Assembly Hall, Illinois’ win against Minnesota was its 11th of the season, matching the Illini’s win total last season. It took Illinois 28 games to win its 11th game, compared with only 19 this season.

Coming home

Although Monday’s win was a road game for his players, Bollant felt at home. The Winona, Minn., native, said his father, two brothers and sister were in attendance, as well as around 50-60 other family members and friends.

“That was pretty special,” he said. “Great experience for the Bollant family, to come back home and get a win here in Minneapolis is special for me.”

Michael can be reached at [email protected] and @m_dubb.