Free Throw Shooting

[swilsonsp4]

Throughout most of this season, the Bearcats were mediocre (at best) shooting from the line. However, in their last seven games, they shot 75-for-95 (78.9%). That's well above average.

[longtimefan]

It’s also when you make them. We had some critical misses late in games that really cost us.

[GoBearcats31]

283 out of 351 teams in FT percentage as of yesterday

(Somehow Army of all programs is last at 58.8%)

[richard k.]

283 out of 351 teams in FT percentage as of yesterday

(Somehow Army of all programs is last at 58.8%)

It's also the total number for each game - I'm tired of seeing our opponent make more than we even shoot (and generally by a wide margin).

[swilsonsp4]

It’s also when you make them. We had some critical misses late in games that really cost us.

True. However, that wasn't a big problem for the Cats in these final 7 games. They went 38-for-47 in the final 10 minutes (80.6%). Only two of those misses were in the final minute; one by Aziz, which hurt, and one by Vik after the outcome was already decided.

[bearcatbret]

I may be the only one that thinks this way but, I believe that if a player misses the front end of a one and one, they should be charged with two missed points. There should be a category to track squandered opportunities.

[sedz]

Team free throw shooting percentage comes down to who is going to the line, not necessarily shooting skill. On most college basketball teams, guards are much better free throw shooters than bigs, and our team is no different. Day Day, Jizzle, and Simas are all great FT shooters, each converting over 77% on the season. But their free throw rates are only around 20%, meaning they only attempt one free throw for every 5 field goal attempts. Compare that to Aziz, a 57% free throw shooter with a free throw rate over 80. Aziz has almost as many free throws attempts as field goal attempts. Skillings has the most free throw attempts on the team, but he converts a below average 66%.

When you have an offense that relies on jump shots and offensive rebounds, your guards aren't getting to the line much. That's how all of Wes Miller's offenses have operated. Even at UNCG, his teams ranked in the bottom half of the country in free throw rate every season. Only once did they crack 70% FT shooting. This is something we probably have to get used to unless we drastically change our offensive approach.

[longtimefan]

True. However, that wasn't a big problem for the Cats in these final 7 games. They went 38-for-47 in the final 10 minutes (80.6%). Only two of those misses were in the final minute; one by Aziz, which hurt, and one by Vik after the outcome was already decided.

I think the two DS missed when we’re trying to come back against Baylor were critical. Both were way short, probably because he was just worn out near the end of 3 games in 3 days.