A Troubling Trend

[spotter34]

First off, it was a good win today. Murray and Ulis are undoubtedly one of the top backcourt duos in the country.

The troubling trend is our continuing decline in free throw attempts. Over the last 3 games our opponents have made (73) more free throws than we have attempted (59). We've made 39. That's 34 more points, or 11 ppg difference. I know the Kansas and Tennessee games were heavily skewed in their favor but today on our home floor Florida was 13-20 and we were 8-14. They were 1 made free throw away from making the same amount that we attempted. This doesn't bode well for making a deep run in March if this trend continues.

We have to get more aggressive in attacking the basket and drawing fouls. Ulis is the only one doing this. Over the last 3 games he is 17-21. Everyone else is 22-38. That's not enough and that percentage is certainly not good enough. Murray, Willis, and Poythress specifically, should be the ones concentrating on getting to the line more. Free throws are easy points but almost as important is that it gets opposing players in foul trouble.

 

[Bigblueincincy]

I agree, and a lot of front end 1 and 1's missed. It cuts down on your attempts.

 

[JeffGoodmansVestigialTwin]

First off, it was a good win today. Murray and Ulis are undoubtedly one of the top backcourt duos in the country.

The troubling trend is our continuing decline in free throw attempts. Over the last 3 games our opponents have made (73) more free throws than we have attempted (59). We've made 39. That's 34 more points, or 11 ppg difference. I know the Kansas and Tennessee games were heavily skewed in their favor but today on our home floor Florida was 13-20 and we were 8-14. They were 1 made free throw away from making the same amount that we attempted. This doesn't bode well for making a deep run in March if this trend continues.

We have to get more aggressive in attacking the basket and drawing fouls. Ulis is the only one doing this. Over the last 3 games he is 17-21. Everyone else is 22-38. That's not enough and that percentage is certainly not good enough. Murray, Willis, and Poythress specifically, should be the ones concentrating on getting to the line more. Free throws are easy points but almost as important is that it gets opposing players in foul trouble.

Not saying I disagree with the premise of your post....but I feel like we do attack pretty well...just not a lot getting called. Referees are very inconsistent and unpredictable. That being said They didn't attack today as much as they usually did, but I believe that had a lot to do with Florida's defensive approach.

 

[ulismyman]

Won by 19 and in fact we have had huge leads in last 6 games...we are fine

 

[Kewlcats]

I don't know exactly what the numbers would be, however if we have made the front end of the one and ones the numbers would be closer.

 

[caneintally]

It is troubling but it all comes down to whack azz refs.

 

[CharlieT71059]

Other than Tennessee beating us, I see the team learning a lot real fast. Good things are coming

 

[MakinMusic]

Fairly common when you shoot and hit lots of jumpers. Today was one of those days.

 

[spotter34]

Won by 19 and in fact we have had huge leads in last 6 games...we are fine

Yeah, we're fine when we shoot over 50% from the field and 60% from 3 like we did today. But we're not always going to shoot this good. Getting to the line is as much a skill as shooting from the line. Sure being more aggressive and attacking the basket more is one way to get more free throws but so is using a pump fake.

Yeah we've had big leads in all of the previous 3 games (8 points was the largest lead vs Kansas) but we also had long scoring droughts where the teams came back and won. Florida didn't win but we still had a few, brief scoring droughts but they couldn't take advantage of it.

I sure don't think we're fine. We still have some glaring weaknesses and getting to the line is one of them. But it could be one of the easiest ones to fix.

 

[Wildcat134]

Is it that our attempts are declining or that our opponent's attempts are increasing?

 

[loublue22]

we foul a lot

the calls were still unfair at KU, but in general it's true. Our bigs act like they've never played defense before.

 

[KWilt43atbuzz]

Barring injury we wont lose more than 2-3 more heading into the Dance.

 

[catben]

When your best driver(Briscoe) is your worst Free Throw shooter, it makes it difficult.

Heck, Cal even stated in the postgame News Conf. that he has specifically told Briscoe to avoid getting fouled because he can't make FT's. That's KILLING our FT numbers.

 

[KA4Prez]

Barring injury we wont lose more than 2-3 more heading into the Dance.

Very optimistic. UK is projected to lose 4 more games. Our 4 remaining road games are brutally tough.

 

[michaeluk26]

When your best driver(Briscoe) is your worst Free Throw shooter, it makes it difficult.

Heck, Cal even stated in the postgame News Conf. that he has specifically told Briscoe to avoid getting fouled because he can't make FT's. That's KILLING our FT numbers.

Yep. I was about to post the same thing.

 

[KopiKat]

we foul a lot.

This squad fouls way too much. The 30 second clock is working against dribble drive when refs don't award us for contact. Shorter clock means more possessions for each team throughout a 40 minute game. A free through disparity of 7 - 8 in seasons past might be 10 -12 from now on.

Cal was a big supporter of the shorter clock but we sure have way too many clock violations. Seems like much more than our opponents.

 

[*Bleedingblue*]

Other teams shoot at the first open shot we do not. Cal does not like putting up shots early in the shot clock and only certain players can put up certain shots. Just like cal not wanting Briscoe at the ft line. Cal screams at Murray to drive it to the hole and not take 3's even though posters on here scream at him for driving lol.