MBB vs Ga Southern, 6:30 p.m. ET, Thursday, Jan. 25 of the 2024th year of the Common Era, Wear Black, not as cold

[Stonewall]

X actually called “ glass” ?

[Bigdaddyg1]

We rank 340 in FT shooting %. If we averaged making 1 more shot per game we would be at 70% and would be 100 spots higher. We seem to be doing something right to offset this deficiency. I'd say that overall it's really not that big of a deal since we are 16-4. If we were shooting 40 free throws a game that might be a real issue. We average about 18 a game so it's not great but you are only talking 3 points from being in the top 100 or so.

[Saint3333]

Our strength is post defense, those players weakness is FT shooting. Not a hard strategy decision for opposing coaches if the game is tight with 3 minutes to go. That is unlikely to change before the conference tournament (and hopefully NCAA).

[QueencityApp]

Harcum had some timely three pointers to keep some distance when Stink would get close. The FT’s are just simply a head scratcher for me. We were really 21-36? Damn shame.

[WVAPPeer]

Who is the color commentator on our ESPN+ games

[APPdiesel]

Lord, these threads are getting as bad as the football threads.
App basically dominated the first half. Southern came out on fire to start the second half, App took Southern’s hardest punch straight to the face and didn’t even fall down. Won by 10 and it wasn’t close for the last 7-ish minutes of the game. All of that with 2/5 starters missing significant time due to foul trouble.
Also, for the folks still panicking over free throws, we are running out of “games down the road” that we will lose due to missed free throws.

It’s ok to be critical when the criticism is valid.

[Saint3333]

PSA: to further Diesel's point. This is a message board where people share thoughts, hopefully backed with data/insight. Everyone will not agree with your interpretation of the data and the related positive or negative connotation associated with that information. If this triggers you I'd specifically avoid all game threads.

[hapapp]

It looks like Xavion Brown’s approach to shooting free throws in the past couple of games has improved. He’s getting more of his legs (really his whole body) into the shot. He’ll probably never be a Donald Sims but there seems to be improvement.

At 41% currently, he is shooting at a higher percentage than any time in his App career.

[Rekdiver]

I thought our team FT shooting had improved..........I was wrong and like we said the last several years...It has cost us games and will comtinue to until we are consistantly 65% or better,

[Bigdaddyg1]

Northern Illinois- 9/16 lost by 13 (make 7) still lose

Oregon State- 10/17 lost by 10 (make 7) still lose

UNCA- 14-22 lost by 13 (make 8) still lose

Troy- 11/18 lost by 4. This is the only game where you could make a case that free throws cost us the win.

If we shot 100% in all of the first 3 losses it was not enough to win. We lost because of either being out shot, turnovers or some other stat but free throw shooting, unless we gave up baskets on missed shots was not the reason.

[APPdiesel]

Northern Illinois- 9/16 lost by 13 (make 7) still lose

Oregon State- 10/17 lost by 10 (make 7) still lose

UNCA- 14-22 lost by 13 (make 8) still lose

Troy- 11/18 lost by 4. This is the only game where you could make a case that free throws cost us the win.

If we shot 100% in all of the first 3 losses it was not enough to win. We lost because of either being out shot, turnovers or some other stat but free throw shooting, unless we gave up baskets on missed shots was not the reason.

Outstanding statistical research.

[Saint3333]

Northern Illinois- 9/16 lost by 13 (make 7) still lose

Oregon State- 10/17 lost by 10 (make 7) still lose

UNCA- 14-22 lost by 13 (make 8) still lose

Troy- 11/18 lost by 4. This is the only game where you could make a case that free throws cost us the win.

If we shot 100% in all of the first 3 losses it was not enough to win. We lost because of either being out shot, turnovers or some other stat but free throw shooting, unless we gave up baskets on missed shots was not the reason.

Oregon State went to OT, make one more and we win holding other variables constant.

Said another way 50% of our loses could have been wins if we shot better from the line.

[Bigdaddyg1]

I just think it's a big assumption to think making a couple of free throws would have equaled a win. We have only 4 losses.

[Saint3333]

I just think it's a big assumption to think making a couple of free throws would have equaled a win. We have only 4 losses.

I was using your logic. If a game goes to OT that leap isn't very wide.

Deflecting that we've only lost four games doesn't support the position that free throws don't matter in close game.

[AppinVA]

Free throws are a critical part of the game, but they receive the attention they do because the game stops for one person to take an unobstructed shot or two at the goal while everyone else has to remain still. If say, we were weak in the post, it’s bad for the team, but grandma doesn’t notice. I hope our free throw percentage improves, but it’s just one part of how our team performs.

[spacemonkey]

Northern Illinois- 9/16 lost by 13 (make 7) still lose

Oregon State- 10/17 lost by 10 (make 7) still lose

UNCA- 14-22 lost by 13 (make 8) still lose

Troy- 11/18 lost by 4. This is the only game where you could make a case that free throws cost us the win.

If we shot 100% in all of the first 3 losses it was not enough to win. We lost because of either being out shot, turnovers or some other stat but free throw shooting, unless we gave up baskets on missed shots was not the reason.

If you are going to make assumptions you should assume on both sides of the equation and let the opposing team shoot 100% and then compare final scores.

[Bootsy]

How often do we see poor FT shooting teams go deep in the NCAA tourney? We don’t, because March Madness introduces parity as it progresses. And FT’s become one of those difference makers.

So FT’s don’t necessarily matter…until the competition tightens up and suddenly they make all the difference.

[hapapp]

Northern Illinois- 9/16 lost by 13 (make 7) still lose

Oregon State- 10/17 lost by 10 (make 7) still lose

UNCA- 14-22 lost by 13 (make 8) still lose

Troy- 11/18 lost by 4. This is the only game where you could make a case that free throws cost us the win.

If we shot 100% in all of the first 3 losses it was not enough to win. We lost because of either being out shot, turnovers or some other stat but free throw shooting, unless we gave up baskets on missed shots was not the reason.

How many misses were the front end of a one and one? Not likely making a difference but sometimes missing one is like missing two.

[hapapp]

Also a consideration is when those misses occur. Obviously, if you made your earlier FTs, then perhaps those later in the game aren't as critical. But, sometimes its when you miss them.

[MrCraig]

How often do we see poor FT shooting teams go deep in the NCAA tourney? We don’t, because March Madness introduces parity as it progresses. And FT’s become one of those difference makers.

So FT’s don’t necessarily matter…until the competition tightens up and suddenly they make all the difference.

Look up the free throw % of every team to make the final four the last 10 years or so. You'd be surprised how many are NOT in the top 25 in free throw %.
I wrote a whole research paper and did a speech on this for a public speaking class freshman year of college. FT% matters, but it doesn't matter any more than any other aspect of the game, and arguably matters less than overall shooting % , turnovers, and rebounds.