Foul Line Observation

[MUUSC]

Not a big fan of Digger (and perhaps this has been discussed on the board.
I apologize, don't post much.), but...

He said in his MU-VU preview that MU equalizes its height problem with our outstanding dribble penetration which draws many trips to the line (outnumber opponents 2 to 1)

It is there where MU beats opponents... in the FTs made differential.

Looking at the USF game, had we hit even 60% of our FTs that game, we win by 7 on the road.

Is he off base, what do you think?

[Henry Sugar]

I said exactly the same thing about the USF game on Cracked Sidewalks.

http://www.crackedsidewalks.com/2009/02/free-throws-are-important.html

As far as his broader point, makes sense to me.

[Skatastrophy]

I think he's spot on.  We get a lot of free points (if we make the shots) by how quickly we get into the bonus and the number of and-1s we get. 

Additionally the more fouls we draw, the more of their starters have to sit down because we got them into foul trouble earlier than they'd like.

So if we're drawing fouls by slashing proficiently we're getting to the line, taking players out of the game, getting free points and opening up the 3.  It's a double-edged sword and we're holding the hilt

[bma725]

I think he's right, and it's something Buzz has pointed out before, MU wants to make more free throws than the other team attempts. 

Just looking at one game, take a look at the numbers for the Georgetown game.  Georgetown had a better shooting night.  They made more two point baskets and the same number of three point baskets.  But MU made 17 more free throws than Georgetown attempted, which made up for the lack of defense and turned a deficit into a 12 point win.

Obviously there's more to it than just free throws, and you can lose a game when you get to the line a lot and don't make anything.  But if you can win the free throw game, you give yourself an advantage.  Not just in points, but as Skatastrophy said, it effects the rest of their game as well.  MU won the Attempt/Make ratio in the WVU game by 14.  But the real story was that the fouls on WVU caused them to change their lineup. DeSean Butler had to sit, Ruoff had to switch to PG, and it completely changed how their offense flowed.

[wildbill sb]

I think he's spot on.  We get a lot of free points (if we make the shots) by how quickly we get into the bonus and the number of and-1s we get. 

Additionally the more fouls we draw, the more of their starters have to sit down because we got them into foul trouble earlier than they'd like.

So if we're drawing fouls by slashing proficiently we're getting to the line, taking players out of the game, getting free points and opening up the 3.  It's a double-edged sword and we're holding the hilt

A significant element in the storied success of Bo Ryan's basketball teams.