We Can Have Nice Things When We Make Free Throws

[RutgersRaRa]

We went 13-15 last night. It's not exactly an under-the-radar stat, but for all that we did well to keep us in this game (and even go ahead a couple of times, once in OT), if we had shot our usual 50-60%, we aren't in this game because we'd have to foul down the stretch and that doesn't win games against teams who can shoot, and MSU can shoot.

 

[LeapinLou]

Yes I think a big takeaway for the team is what happens when you make free throws. Unfortunately they also learned that when you play one of the blue bloods of college basketball, you can count on the refs giving them lots of free throw attempts and you very few. Especially in the last minute.

 

[RUPete]

Yes- when you are offensively challenged like we are, you need to hit free throws in order to have any hope of upsetting a better team. I am shocked how well we shot them last night in that environment. It shows that we can do it when we have the proper focus.

 

[rudad02]

Yes I think a big takeaway for the team is what happens when you make free throws. Unfortunately they also learned that when you play one of the blue bloods of college basketball, you can count on the refs giving them lots of free throw attempts and you very few. Especially in the last minute.

Yes, you have to beat them too!

 

[RU-ROCS]

We went 13-15 last night. It's not exactly an under-the-radar stat, but for all that we did well to keep us in this game (and even go ahead a couple of times, once in OT), if we had shot our usual 50-60%, we aren't in this game because we'd have to foul down the stretch and that doesn't win games against teams who can shoot, and MSU can shoot.

No doubt that great defense, rebounding and FTs are the recipe for winning on the road. Even good shooting teams have off nights from the field, but if a team does these 3 things consistently well, they will be competitive.