Anyone want to guess what our FT% at this point last year was?

[ukfan79]

Well you don't have to.....

We were 65.2% through 7 games. This year we are 66.3% through the same amount of games with more attempts.

We finished 72.6% last year BTW.

I get the frustration, but we were doing the same thing last year at this point as fans. Hand wringing over free throws.

 

[caneintally]

AMAZING POST. I am not worried about 3's or free throws with this team .

 

[KY Long Rifle]

Until we show that we can't hit them when we have to, there's no reason to worry.

 

[Bigkyfan10]

I'm still worried... More about 3's and who is taking them. Briscoe and Matthews should rarely shoot 3's, Hawkins shouldn't shoot 3s. Ulis and Murray should shoot a few a game. Poythress should shoot one every once in a while. Willis should shoot some to. Heck, of the gaurds refuse to get the ball down los to the lost like tonight Skal may want to shoot one a night. If people play to their best potential and roles, the sky is the limit. Free throws don't concearned me as much. The person that I'm really worried about is Briscoe, if he can't hit better than 30 then this team won't go that far because he is going to the line with how he plays. Lee also isn't good at free throws but I don't see him taking that many during the year compared to others.

 

[ulismyman]

It just matters who shoots them ulis, murray, poy shoot majority we are good

 

[mebeblue2]

what would our FT% be without counting Ulis and Murray
the rest of the team is not shooting FT's very good

at the end of the game the ball has to be in the hands of Ulis or Murray

 

[Big Cat fan]

what would our FT% be without counting Ulis and Murray
the rest of the team is not shooting FT's very good

at the end of the game the ball has to be in the hands of Ulis or Murray

But we have Murray and Ulis and they will shot many of the FT's.

 

[Willy4UK]

Well you don't have to.....

We were 65.2% through 7 games. This year we are 66.3% through the same amount of games with more attempts.

We finished 72.6% last year BTW.

I get the frustration, but we were doing the same thing last year at this point as fans. Hand wringing over free throws.

Thanks for that. Its easy to forget.

 

[wild mandu]

They didn't need to be as good from the line last year, the team as a whole was much better.

I don't think you would see as much complaining if we were beating teams by 25+ and holding them to under 15 points in a half. Much less room for error this year.

 

[JerseyCat84]

Well when it actually costs us a game, then I'll be concerned.

 

[anon_013cn8yrfncx2]

apples and oranges .. not the same players

the problem I see with IB and CM both, is they don't have a good stroke. so improvement will not come by more practice

 

[JPScott]

Below is the updated chart showing UK's cumulative free throw shooting % as the season progresses under Calipari.

Generally most teams will improve during the course of the year, and if they do it's generally seen after about 40 days into the season, which corresponds to the winter break between semesters when they have plenty of time to work on things like free throws.

UK currently is sitting at 66.5%, which in comparison to Cal's other UK teams is about average for this time of year.

 

[kyjeff1]

Below is the updated chart showing UK's cumulative free throw shooting % as the season progresses under Calipari.

Generally most teams will improve during the course of the year, and if they do it's generally seen after about 40 days into the season, which corresponds to the winter break between semesters when they have plenty of time to work on things like free throws.

UK currently is sitting at 66.5%, which in comparison to Cal's other UK teams is about average for this time of year.

Jesus man, you have a chart??? Impressive.

 

[JeffGoodmansVestigialTwin]

Below is the updated chart showing UK's cumulative free throw shooting % as the season progresses under Calipari.

Generally most teams will improve during the course of the year, and if they do it's generally seen after about 40 days into the season, which corresponds to the winter break between semesters when they have plenty of time to work on things like free throws.

UK currently is sitting at 66.5%, which in comparison to Cal's other UK teams is about average for this time of year.

Okay you're either the biggest UK fan ever and have no other life.....or you're a statistical genius (which means you can't be a Little Brothel fan) either way well done sir, impressive.

 

[ukfan79]

apples and oranges .. not the same players

the problem I see with IB and CM both, is they don't have a good stroke. so improvement will not come by more practice

It's not apples and oranges. The people that complain about free throw shooting while we still haven't even had a close game, are the same ones that act as it is definitely a season ending issue right now.

It's not and it will improve. Will we get to 73% like last year? Probably not. But I'd venture to say we'll get to 69-70% and that will be fine for this team.

 

[FiveStarCat]

Briscoe needs to live in the gym practicing free throws. I love when he's on the floor but cringe as soon as he gets fouled and sent to the line.

 

[JeffGoodmansVestigialTwin]

Briscoe needs to live in the gym practicing free throws. I love when he's on the floor but cringe as soon as he gets fouled and sent to the line.

Love his toughness but I just assume he's going 0-2 every time. Helps me cope better.

 

[Xception]

No need to hold a tournament this year , just send the trophy to the best free throw shooting team .

 

[ukfan79]

Briscoe needs to live in the gym practicing free throws. I love when he's on the floor but cringe as soon as he gets fouled and sent to the line.

I agree on that. Even if you're a 'bad' free throw shooter, as a guard 'bad' would be 65-70%. So if he can get to just being 'bad' than we are okay.

I don't know what was up with Matthews either. I don't know what these guys' % was in high school but I imagine it was way better. I still think a lot of it is jitters.....getting used to shooting in front of 20,000+ in the arena and millions on TV.

Lee is what he is.....a sub 40% free throw shooter.....so we know what we're getting out of him. Matthews and Briscoe are now combined for 16-39...41%. Take them out and the rest of the team (even counting Lee's horrible shooting) is 73%

If those two were just 'bad' shooters as guards (65%) then as a team we would be 71.6% and I don't think anyone would complain about anything over 70%

I think we'll get there.....just like last year.

 

[Wildcat-in-STL]

Briscoe is all mental. He never looks like he is focusing on hitting a free throw... it just step to the line and chuck it.

 

[UKWildcats#8]

I love when posters on here post relevant, factual information to shut up the whiny freaking out posters. Good post OP.

 

[caneintally]

Briscoe is all mental. He never looks like he is focusing on hitting a free throw... it just step to the line and chuck it.

Yep he shot well in HS and he showed some signs in this game of getting on track as he has had games where he didn't even hit one .

 

[BBUK]

Briscoe needs to live in the gym practicing free throws. I love when he's on the floor but cringe as soon as he gets fouled and sent to the line.

Has anyone noticed the Briscoe defensive intensity? He is getting used to bringing it. It will take time for his game to catch up. I am fine with where he's at now. jmuo

 

[poppycat]

what would our FT% be without counting Ulis and Murray
the rest of the team is not shooting FT's very good

at the end of the game the ball has to be in the hands of Ulis or Murray

3 guards...add Hawkins..(defense and ball control) not looking for a shot

 

[Wildcat-in-STL]

I think our damn rims hurt a bit too. If that ball even grazes the rim, its flung out of there like it hit a rare power boost. Watching some of our free throws ..... i think at least 1 more goes in per game with more forgiving rims. Case in point, the rims in Miami were forgiving and notice how a few free throws hit the rim and went in anyways?

 

[Rupp'sRunt]

Any way Lee can start shooting FTs under handed? I'd die if he did one against UL just to mess with them

 

[ukfan79]

Any way Lee can start shooting FTs under handed? I'd die if he did one against UL just to mess with them

Maybe he should....seriously. There's no rule that says you can't right?

 

[KyFaninNC]

Why are so many top players not learning to shoot a free throw in 6th grade?

 

[wild mandu]

Why are so many top players not learning to shoot a free throw in 6th grade?

Seems like a lost art, at least among the very young.

Funny, when you look at all-time NBA free throw percentage leaders, 7 of the top 15 are either currently playing or recently retired.

1. Steve Nash
3. Steph Curry
4. Peja Stojakovic
5. Chauncey Billups
6. Ray Allen
13. Kevin Durant
14. Dirk Nowitzki