Free Throw Shooting

[BUfan14]

We seen a little better at getting to the line this year, as we rarely seemed to last year (314 in the country according to Basketball Reference). We are averaging over 17 attempts a game so far. However, we still aren’t making very many.

Last year was a better shooting team than we’ve had in a while and we seem to potentially be a really good shooting team this year. Usually that means free throw success.

It is so bizarre to me we aren’t better in this area. Even guys like Atlason, Hick, and Leons seem to go through dry spells at the line last year and this year and they’re solid to great shooters. Any theories out there?

It has to bug the staff. Seeing posts on a team like Tarleton State make free throws at a high rate on the road when they can’t seem to shoot much at all, and then seeing us shoot the lights out and still not make free throws well is jarring. It’s a weird one. This year it’s early, so it may even out, but judging on the past few years it is not a guarantee. We are so good in so many areas, what causes the free throw troubles?

[Big Mike]

I think they need to slow down at the line....settle in instead of just hurrying it up....we will lose some game at due to the bad % @ FT line the way they are going....

[Da Coach]

We seen a little better at getting to the line this year, as we rarely seemed to last year (314 in the country according to Basketball Reference). We are averaging over 17 attempts a game so far. However, we still aren’t making very many.

Last year was a better shooting team than we’ve had in a while and we seem to potentially be a really good shooting team this year. Usually that means free throw success.

It is so bizarre to me we aren’t better in this area. Even guys like Atlason, Hick, and Leons seem to go through dry spells at the line last year and this year and they’re solid to great shooters. Any theories out there?

Free throw shooting was bad the last 2 games, and is 31-52 for the season (59.6%). But is it a reason for worry?
Malevy Leons' is 13-22, but he doesn't worry me much, since historically, he has been a great FT shooter. He has shot a lot of FTs the last 2 seasons (146-183) and was 83% in 2021-22, and 78% in 2022-23. He will get that corrected.

Here are the team's FT numbers for all 3 games-
vs. UAB 13-16 (81.3%)
vs. Utah State 13-25 (52.0%)
vs. Tarleton- 5-11 (45.5%)

They were great on the road at UAB, but the 2 home games have been the problem for some reason.
Deen, Hickman, and Davis are all shooting 75% on FTs, but Malevy is at 59.1% (13-22).
The two freshmen, Atlason and Burch, shot 3-8 last night (Burch 3-6, Atlason 0-2), but that was really their first extended action, and the first time either have been to the FT line as college players. Maybe we can attribute that to some nerves? I am confident they will do much better as the season progresses.

[BUSongwriter]

Would Atlason be allowed to shoot his free throws from the 3-point arc?

[Classof77]

Would Atlason be allowed to shoot his free throws from the 3-point arc?

I said just that at the game last night....maybe he should back up to the arc.

[Bradley3342]

Would Atlason be allowed to shoot his free throws from the 3-point arc?

Haha! Might work. I think he’ll get it figured out.

[BUfan14]

The biggest issue seems to be Hickman, who is now shooting better overall than from the line. It’s early this year, but he’s at 55% over this season and last. Hard to understand from a good shooter and someone at 84% his first year. He gets to the line more than most of our players in big spots too being a primary ball handler. It felt like Tulane was looking for foul him at the end didn’t it?

[tomahawk chop]

The biggest issue seems to be Hickman, who is now shooting better overall than from the line. It’s early this year, but he’s at 55% over this season and last. Hard to understand from a good shooter and someone at 84% his first year. He gets to the line more than most of our players in big spots too being a primary ball handler. It felt like Tulane was looking for foul him at the end didn’t it?

They did which is why Deen needed to have the ball at that time.