UConn free throw rate: dead last

[Gael]

Fans worry about a lot of things: big, small and imagined. Are FTAs something to worry about?

There is an advanced team statistic called free throw rate. It measures the percentage of a team's shots that are attempted from the free throw line. The formula for free throw rate (FTR) is to divide the total free throw attempts by the total field goal attempts. This formula helps measure how often a team gets to the free-throw line relative to their other shot attempts, accounting for the pace of the game.

Of the 363 D1 teams tracked by Her Hoops Stats, UConn after five games has a FTR of 8.5%, which is 363rd of the 363 teams. Dead last.

A related statistic is percent of points from free throws (%PtsFT) , which is exactly what the name suggests. UConn is currently at 9.9%, which is 361st out of 363 teams. Two spots away from dead last.

Why do you think UConn has been so extremely unable to draw shooting fouls, and is this something to worry about?

 

[Monte]

There are several ways you could look at this stat . The first thought that came to my mind was: they are moving quickly on offense, and by doing this, they are staying clear of defensive players as they shoot.

 

[HuskyNan]

UConn is a perimeter oriented team. Not many free throws to be gotten out there

 

[Bigboote]

You can try to make a basket and you can try to draw a foul. They’re often different sorts of shots. UConn is seldom among the leaders in free throw rate, but usually toward the top in field goal percentage.

 

[diggerfoot]

There are several factors that contribute to free throw rate. In most cases a lower rate is due to a positive factor.

1. The greatest rate of fouling comes at the end of close games. A team in the upper percentiles of blowouts will have a lower rate. A positive if you are the winning team.

2. Perimeter shots taken are usually more open than midrange shots or layups. A team in the upper percentiles of perimeter shots will have fewer free throws.

3. Wise shot selection by definition also are more open, thus less free throws. A well run offense, etc

4. Making a high percentage of your shots means less offensive rebounds, where many fouls occur. A team in upper percentile of shooting, etc.

5. Also, making your shots means you get one FTA instead of two if you are fouled.

6. A low offensive rebounds percentage over the missed shots means less opportunity for FTA.

Only the last factor is bad news in its implications for fewer FTAs. On the other hand, the biggest positive behind high FTAs is the likelihood of getting a team in foul trouble, but that’s not a factor that a team with superior talent and coaching usually attempts to maximize.

 

[pvdoggy]

UConn is a perimeter oriented team. Not many free throws to be gotten out there

Uconn may be a perimeter-oriented team, but in all the games so far, if you look at the shot charts of each game (I did not look at LUC), Uconn scored a lot more points in the paint than from the perimeter. The outside shooting percentage has not been that great overall.

 

[PJCLaw]

Fans worry about a lot of things: big, small and imagined. Are FTAs something to worry about?

There is an advanced team statistic called free throw rate. It measures the percentage of a team's shots that are attempted from the free throw line. The formula for free throw rate (FTR) is to divide the total free throw attempts by the total field goal attempts. This formula helps measure how often a team gets to the free-throw line relative to their other shot attempts, accounting for the pace of the game.

Of the 363 D1 teams tracked by Her Hoops Stats, UConn after five games has a FTR of 8.5%, which is 363rd of the 363 teams. Dead last.

A related statistic is percent of points from free throws (%PtsFT) , which is exactly what the name suggests. UConn is currently at 9.9%, which is 361st out of 363 teams. Two spots away from dead last.

Why do you think UConn has been so extremely unable to draw shooting fouls, and is this something to worry about?

It was the same way last season, though not dead last, but close. Part of it is the efficiency with which UConn typically scores from outside, referee bias against the school, and a lack of contested drives to the basket. Just my opinion.

 

[OldSchooler]

I haven't looked at comparative stats, but I sense the team's success rate at the line is higher than in recent years.

 

[darrell]

Wow! That is a crazy stat. I just checked and we’re taking the 6th fewest FTA in the country. I get that we’re “perimeter oriented”, but this is great food for thought.

What’s funny is they’re pretty good when they get there, they just don’t get there often (an announcer mentioned that Azzi was just 5/5 on the season at some point last night).

 

[freshler40]

Other than Sarah, our guards don't seem to penetrate to finish. If that is true we don't go to the line much. Late in the Michigan game, I thought Sarah, when along the baseline, passed out to the corners several times, giving up her patented baseline jumper or trip to the line.

Our double high post may be our best opportunity for drawing fouls and opening up the zones we are likely to face going forward. The option for the high posts should always include taking a jumper or spin drive to the hoop.

Another bonus from more of this offensive set-up is by going to line it provides time to gather our breath for those players that are playing many minutes beyond 30+ in tight games. We looked gassed late in this game. Michigan played a quick clock, had good court speed and ran us hard.

 

[EricLA]

Uconn may be a perimeter-oriented team, but in all the games so far, if you look at the shot charts of each game (I did not look at LUC), Uconn scored a lot more points in the paint than from the perimeter. The outside shooting percentage has not been that great overall.

In a way that's even more impressive. Sarah, Serah, Jana, and even KK, Ash and Kayleigh are able to drive to the basket, or have plays that lead to layups, and the motion offense is so impressive that they manage the shot attempt without being fouled. Basically means they usually lose their defender(s).

I think as Blanca sees more PT, we will see more FT attempts. She drives like a freight train and has some great moves. As long as she avoids charges, I think she will see a lot of FT's...

But you are 100% right. The 3 point shot has not been great overall. Azzi is a sizzling 50%, but no other player is over 30%. That goes for Sarah (29%), Ash (24%), Kayleigh (10%), KK (22%) and Allie (23%). Literally all those guys should be better. Not so far tho. BUT... Long season. Let's hope it improves. If it does, watch out!!!

 

[HopJim]

Three thoughts:
-UConn is a great passing team. Many of Huskie's layups are via give and gos where the passer could have taken a 5 footer and often get fouled, but gives it to a moving teammate who is or becomes wide open.
-With the exception of Strong, our bigs are not shoting well under the basket. Sarah has a unique way of keeping the ball away from her defender, rarely getting a shot blocked or being fouled. Serah's offense has been MIA-no reason for a defender to foul.
-With few exceptions, everyone on UConn is a strong foul shooter. Suspect that one of the points the opposition coach focuses on is not to foul.

 

[faninwisc]

Maybe it has something to do with that fact that Uconn is averaging 14.2 (17th in the country) steals a game and 31.2 points per game off of turnovers. It's kind of hard to get fouled when you are making uncontested layups.

 

[SVCBeercats]

Why do you think UConn has been so extremely unable to draw shooting fouls, and is this something to worry about?

Examine where UCONN is for two-point and three-point shooting. Would it matter if they rate higher in 2 & 3 point shooting? Do they have any impact on free throw attempts? Where is David N when you need him?! 😁