This is going to be a problem in close games. We're missing free throws with 10, 15, 20 point leads. What happens when we're down two points with a minute left in a game and one of these guys is at the line? And this just isn't a case of small sample sizes. Some of our key guys are barely average at the free throw line while others are just bad.
Add in Foumena who is only shooting FT at 33% (5-15) and who is someone who will most properly get a lot of free throw attempts. FTs will be a problem in tight games. Hope they can improve. Maybe 72 can show them the proper FT shooting techniques!
This is going to be a problem in close games. We're missing free throws with 10, 15, 20 point leads. What happens when we're down two points with a minute left in a game and one of these guys is at the line? And this just isn't a case of small sample sizes. Some of our key guys are barely average at the free throw line while others are just bad.
I'm going to say, when it comes to FTs, those listed in ramster's post make up a small "basket of terribles" when it comes to FTs. Those numbers are all turrble.
This is going to be a problem in close games. We're missing free throws with 10, 15, 20 point leads. What happens when we're down two points with a minute left in a game and one of these guys is at the line? And this just isn't a case of small sample sizes. Some of our key guys are barely average at the free throw line while others are just bad.
78, I don’t think my nerves are strong enough yet this season to handle blown free throws in close games. I better start mentally preparing!
It obviously isn't great that they're missing so many free throws, but it's a problem you live with if the rest of the offensive is improved, as it is through three games so far. I doubt everyone is going to be shooting 75+ percent, but its an issue you can identify, work on or scheme away from. I think its way tougher to have the issue of last year's squad, which was players incapable of hitting open shots or creating their own shot.
Last year, they averaged 21 FTA a game as the season wore on. This year, they're at 26 FTA per game. This will probably fall as teams get more tape on us, and as the opponents get better. (Last year's team shot a ton of FT through three games too.) But it wouldn't surprise me if its still higher than last year, since players like House, Montgomery and the big men are more threatening on offense than last year's roster, and will draw more fouls.
SGreenwell wrote: ↑5 months ago
It obviously isn't great that they're missing so many free throws, but it's a problem you live with if the rest of the offensive is improved, as it is through three games so far. I doubt everyone is going to be shooting 75+ percent, but its an issue you can identify, work on or scheme away from. I think its way tougher to have the issue of last year's squad, which was players incapable of hitting open shots or creating their own shot.
Last year, they averaged 21 FTA a game as the season wore on. This year, they're at 26 FTA per game. This will probably fall as teams get more tape on us, and as the opponents get better. (Last year's team shot a ton of FT through three games too.) But it wouldn't surprise me if its still higher than last year, since players like House, Montgomery and the big men are more threatening on offense than last year's roster, and will draw more fouls.
Good deeper dive into the FT’s issue when compared to last season. Hopefully, the improved O and scheming keep us out of critical FT attempts in games more often than not.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t give me the warm and fuzzies yet. That said, I think the two upcoming games will tell us a lot.
The never-ending, infuriating free throws issue. All the hoops these guys have played you'd think they could make 7-10 consistently. As mentioned above, it is DEFINITELY going to matter in closer games...
It’s odd how this stuff doesn’t translate to games. Pressure just really affects some more than others
When the new practice facility opened there was a picture posted of daily FT attempts by player tracking their makes. The lowest % of 300 attempts was 80%. Most guys were high 80s-low 90s
Average stats like this tell a story, but only part of story and you have to go well beyond the numbers to get real meaning. For example what is your 3point performance in critical junctures in any game, what is the performance versus good teams as opposed to cupcakes, etc. Does your 3 point shooting have any correlation to your energy level in any given game. If your 3 point touch disappears in a game, doesn't it make sense to stop chucking up three point attempts. The data points of three games is not much, but a deeper analysis beyond just looking at average stats shows the current MBB team is not great no matter their national rating. But if the MBB team is so-so, the women's team is worse as their recent performance in Orono (1 for 22) showed, but in that case it wasn't the bad shooting but the bad attitude and energy level that did the Lady Rams in.
Obadiah wrote: ↑5 months ago
Average stats like this tell a story, but only part of story and you have to go well beyond the numbers to get real meaning. For example what is your 3point performance in critical junctures in any game, what is the performance versus good teams as opposed to cupcakes, etc. Does your 3 point shooting have any correlation to your energy level in any given game. If your 3 point touch disappears in a game, doesn't it make sense to stop chucking up three point attempts. The data points of three games is not much, but a deeper analysis beyond just looking at average stats shows the current MBB team is not great no matter their national rating. But if the MBB team is so-so, the women's team is worse as their recent performance in Orono (1 for 22) showed, but in that case it wasn't the bad shooting but the bad attitude and energy level that did the Lady Rams in.
Stats are great but still need to put the thinking cap on. Good post, Ob!
SGreenwell wrote: ↑5 months ago
Per Sports Reference, we're 343rd right now. I'm not sure how many teams they rank, but its near the bottom. There are about 360 D-I hoops programs.
ATPTourFan wrote: ↑4 months ago
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Thanks for posting this, ATP.
Now that we have a practice facility, our foul shooting percentage stinks. Go figure.
Our 3 point percentage has been a bright spot so far this season - though, we don’t fire up a lot of 3’s per game - as has our overall field goal percentage.
It's possible to be a winning team and a poor FT shooting team at the same time. (Conversely, good FT shooting teams can also stink.) No need to harp on this. Teams just have to be better in other areas of the game to offset.
PlayMikeMotenMore wrote: ↑4 months ago
It's possible to be a winning team and a poor FT shooting team at the same time. (Conversely, good FT shooting teams can also stink.) No need to harp on this. Teams just have to be better in other areas of the game to offset.
Agreed continuous harping on this is not gonna change the %. But this poor % needs serious attention by the coaching staff.
ATPTourFan wrote: ↑4 months ago
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Thanks for posting this, ATP.
Now that we have a practice facility, our foul shooting percentage stinks. Go figure.
Our 3 point percentage has been a bright spot so far this season - though, we don’t fire up a lot of 3’s per game - as has our overall field goal percentage.
Wasn't it the consensus before the year started that there was a big improvement on the three, but not the FT...and that hopefully, the FT % would work itself out?
ATPTourFan wrote: ↑4 months ago
Screen Shot 2023-12-03 at 6.33.56 PM.png
Thanks for posting this, ATP.
Now that we have a practice facility, our foul shooting percentage stinks. Go figure.
Our 3 point percentage has been a bright spot so far this season - though, we don’t fire up a lot of 3’s per game - as has our overall field goal percentage.
Wasn't it the consensus before the year started that there was a big improvement on the three, but not the FT...and that hopefully, the FT % would work itself out?
Yeah. The missed FTs are annoying, but as PMMM points out, you can still be a decent offense even if you're missing a bunch. So far this year, KenPom has our adjusted offense as 137th overall, and Sports Reference has our offensive rating at 94th. Last year, we were at 316 and 342. We shot 39 percent from the floor last year, and we're at 48 percent this year. (Some of it is our weak strength of schedule, but most of our players this year vs. last year are better offensively, with pretty much nothing given up on defense in the swap.)
Now that we have a practice facility, our foul shooting percentage stinks. Go figure.
Our 3 point percentage has been a bright spot so far this season - though, we don’t fire up a lot of 3’s per game - as has our overall field goal percentage.
Wasn't it the consensus before the year started that there was a big improvement on the three, but not the FT...and that hopefully, the FT % would work itself out?
Yeah. The missed FTs are annoying, but as PMMM points out, you can still be a decent offense even if you're missing a bunch. So far this year, KenPom has our adjusted offense as 137th overall, and Sports Reference has our offensive rating at 94th. Last year, we were at 316 and 342. We shot 39 percent from the floor last year, and we're at 48 percent this year. (Some of it is our weak strength of schedule, but most of our players this year vs. last year are better offensively, with pretty much nothing given up on defense in the swap.)
And we had the best free throw shooting team in about 50 years...
