Matthews is making a ton of free throws this year. I looked up to see if he was on a pace to set the single season record for free throws made. I did not realize that he led MU in free throws the last two years. I certainly would have expected McNeal and James to have shot more free throws than Matthews, but that is not the case. I looked at MU's all time free throw leaders
1. Meminger 493
2. Thompson 457
3. Matthews 426 through last night.
Matthews should end up being MU's all-time free throw made leader. Meminger and Thompson played only thee seasons, but Matthews has a chance to pass them without counting the 63 free throws he made as a freshmen.
For you younger fans there are two differences in free throw rules now. The obvious one is the double bonus starting with the tenth foul of the half. The other one is the first six fouls. I do not remember when it actually changed, but teams were entitled to 1 free throw on non-shooting fouls on the first 6 fouls. Then the bonus started as now with the 7th foul. So Meminger, being the point guard shot a lot 1 shot free throws that he would not of shot now. Of course he would have shot more free throws with the double bonus rule. Meminger shot an incredible 762 free throws in his 87 game career. Thompson, who was purely an inside player is second with 674 attempts in his 87 game career. Percentage wise Matthews is a much better free thrower. Matthews has taken 503 free throws in 103 games.
Thanks for the history on that bilsu. Knowing that, Matthews knack at getting to the line and making his shots is that much more noteworthy.
I never knew that one-shot on the first six fouls ever existed.
But it started in '57-58 and was changed in '73-74.
Here's quite a list of NCAA rules changes:
http://www.orangehoops.org/NCAA/NCAA%20Rule%20Changes.htm
http://www.muscoop.com/index.php?topic=11080.0
meminger was brutal at the line or he would own all Mu marks
I think another reason why Meminger shot so many free throws was because there was no shot clock. The only way to get the ball back at the end of the game was to foul Meminger who was in my opinion the best ball handler MU ever had.
bilsu---Great stats. Matthews has earned his stripes this year. Took me awhile to overcome my feelings on his Dad, but the kid has delivered. Great point on Dean late the game. Totally different game with no shot clock.
This can only point to one thing for Matthews:
NBA!
Good teams will continue to try and take DJ and Jerel out of our scheme on O as they have been our engine...to have Wes step up this year has been huge. He is #1 in the country in FT's made, #2 in attempts and #12 in FT rate (but the #1 guard).
I think his play has freed up Jerel to hit the trey (taking more and hitting at a higher %), provide more room for Lazar to operate inside and out, and let DJ improve on distributing the ball. Of the Fan 4, I think he has been the only one in our tight games to have the flow of the game come to him. Jerel, DJ and Lazar have become "out of sorts" at times (fouls, press too much, force/hurry a shot or play), where Wes takes over. Wes has the knack of speeding things up without rushing things that the other three can learn from and get energy off of.
http://statsheet.com/mcb/players/stats/ft_made?season=2008-2009