What’s up with our lack of free throws

[bantamlaker]

It’s been pointed out, especially in the chat room, that our team doesn’t seem to be getting the calls and isn’t shooting many free throws. I thought I’d check some stats.

UConn ranks 350 of 353 D1 teams in free throws attempted averaging just 9.9 per game. The #1 team averages 26.82 per game. Some other top teams (Texas, Souhern Cal and LSU) average over 20 per game.

What about our two stars? Paige has 52 attempts in 19 games and Sarah 43 in 21 games. The #1 player in the country has 201, almost as many as the entire UConn team. Juju has 150, Aneesah Morrow 107 and Hannah Hidalgo 102 (17 games). Even Hailey VanLith has 102. The 150th ranked player has 83 attempts.

So what’s going on? Is it our style of play without players attacking the hoop? Is it just a coincidence or could it be a conspiracy against UConn or awful refs in the Big East? Maybe Geno needs to get angry and be held back by CD like in the old days when Paige gets mauled on the way to the hoop and there’s no call.

Any thoughts on this and do you think it might be a problem in the big games coming up?

 

[diggerfoot]

A high shooting percentage generally reflects taking high percentage shots. High percentage shots generally reflects taking open shots. Open shots generally reflect shots where the shooter will not be fouled.

High percentage shots are not always open shots for post players, but our star post player is the post’s version of Bueckers, a savvy player who knows how to get and take open shots, including drives to the basket that are too quick to be fouled.

We have a smooth offense with an impressive amount of savvy players (add Fudd, Shade and even Cheli). While I hope we improve from being 350, we will not get as many calls as other top teams. Increasing foul attempts would likely depend on Arnold, Chen (the drivers) El-Affy or Brady (the posts). El-Affy would be the preferred candidate for this …. if she learns to shoot FTs better.

On edit: There are offenses/programs that seek contact to draw fouls. Notre Dame historically has been such a team (both on offense and defense). UConn tends to adapt to the roster. This roster has players that know how to move the ball and get open shots.

 

[ERWUC65]

It’s been pointed out, especially in the chat room, that our team doesn’t seem to be getting the calls and isn’t shooting many free throws. I thought I’d check some stats.

UConn ranks 350 of 353 D1 teams in free throws attempted averaging just 9.9 per game. The #1 team averages 26.82 per game. Some other top teams (Texas, Souhern Cal and LSU) average over 20 per game.

What about our two stars? Paige has 52 attempts in 19 games and Sarah 43 in 21 games. The #1 player in the country has 201, almost as many as the entire UConn team. Juju has 150, Aneesah Morrow 107 and Hannah Hidalgo 102 (17 games). Even Hailey VanLith has 102. The 150th ranked player has 83 attempts.

So what’s going on? Is it our style of play without players attacking the hoop? Is it just a coincidence or could it be a conspiracy against UConn or awful refs in the Big East? Maybe Geno needs to get angry and be held back by CD like in the old days when Paige gets mauled on the way to the hoop and there’s no call.

Any thoughts on this and do you think it might be a problem in the big games coming up?

I would tend less to blame the refs and put it more on our style of play and Geno's influence on certain players in that regard. Mostly I attribute it to the tendency of our players to play tentative rather than aggressive. Exceptions are Morgan and Jana, and they are basically freshman with minimal experience in tough game conditions.

 

[meyers7]

This is tough. Yeah, it would be nice to get more Free Throws and get the other team in foul trouble.

BUT, it's also nice having games flow without all the stoppages.

Hmmm, what to do, what to do.

 

[Jim]

It is worthwhile to note that UConn's average number of free throws attempted is a good bit higher for their games against top-25 teams. That makes me think that the issue is (1) UConn in general doesn't foul much, and (2) Big East refs don't want to give UConn any extra opportunities for points when UConn already has a big lead. So the refs essentially swallow the whistle to keep the blow outs from getting worse.

 

[Rb335]

We generally work the ball for open looks as opposed to taking it to the rim. We shoot a lot of 3s, but we also shoot a fair number of jump shots. Paige is our leading scorer and I’d say the majority of her points come from the midrange. It’s just taking good shots as opposed to seeking contact. We also don’t have the strongest interior game so we don’t draw a ton of fouls in that area.

We also have players id classify as finesse players. Paige will twist and contort for the impressive finish before just drawing a foul. Azzi will shoot 3s or the pull up before attacking. Even when she attacks she often times steps into open space as opposed to seeking contact.

I do think we need to get better at getting to the line. You need free points from broken plays, or free points when shots aren’t falling. It would also help to get opposing players into foul trouble. But for now it’s fine, assuming shots are falling.

 

[diggerfoot]

It is worthwhile to note that UConn's average number of free throws attempted is a good bit higher for their games against top-25 teams. That makes me think that the issue is (1) UConn in general doesn't foul much, and (2) Big East refs don't want to give UConn any extra opportunities for points when UConn already has a big lead. So the refs essentially swallow the whistle to keep the blow outs from getting worse.

Thanks for pointing that out, though I would also attribute that to top 25 teams being quicker. Many of our drives to the basket, back door cuts and pick and rolls are executed too crisply for slower teams to react quick enough to foul.

 

[Bone Dog]

I’m with @diggerfoot . Geno’s teams don’t play to draw fouls. And yes, I think Geno likes continuity of play to encourage those trademark runs. And Paige in particular, but Azzi and Ash too, take a lot of midrange jumpers. Some of those could have been taken to the rim in the hopes of getting a whistle.

Indeed, it’s a shame (in a sense) that our style of play tends to mean some fouls that could have been drawn go undrawn.

And, yes, a few actual fouls get missed — INJUSTICE!!!!

The irony is that many of us (me included) have complained about opposing players who hunt fouls and make the game a bore. It is ripe for us to complain about not getting enough calls.

 

[Jim]

Thanks for pointing that out, though I would also attribute that to top 25 teams being quicker. Many of our drives to the basket, back door cuts and pick and rolls are executed too crisply for slower teams to react quick enough to foul.

I'm not sure I agree with that. Many fouls occur when a defender is trying to catch up after making a mistake. Being slower makes defenders catch up more. D-I players that are slower are forced to reach more and result in more fouls, not less.

 

[BobbyJ]

A high shooting percentage generally reflects taking high percentage shots. High percentage shots generally reflects taking open shots. Open shots generally reflect shots where the shooter will not be fouled.

High percentage shots are not always open shots for post players, but our star post player is the post’s version of Bueckers, a savvy player who knows how to get and take open shots, including drives to the basket that are too quick to be fouled.

We have a smooth offense with an impressive amount of savvy players (add Fudd, Shade and even Cheli). While I hope we improve from being 350, we will not get as many calls as other top teams. Increasing foul attempts would likely depend on Arnold, Chen (the drivers) El-Affy or Brady (the posts). El-Affy would be the preferred candidate for this …. if she learns to shoot FTs better.

On edit: There are offenses/programs that seek contact to draw fouls. Notre Dame historically has been such a team (both on offense and defense). UConn tends to adapt to the roster. This roster has players that know how to move the ball and get open shots.

Good points especially your edit. Players that consistently attack defenders inviting and drawing contact get to the line. Other than Bueckers, Strong, and Arnold, the rest tend to avoid contact by falling away on shots or passing off prior to it.

 

[Skeets]

I rather see a pull up jumper go in, rather than going to the rim in traffic in hopes of getting a foul. Geno might feel the same way. Let's not overlook that being #6 means UConn is doing something right.

 

[Bigboote]

A high shooting percentage generally reflects taking high percentage shots. High percentage shots generally reflects taking open shots. Open shots generally reflect shots where the shooter will not be fouled.

High percentage shots are not always open shots for post players, but our star post player is the post’s version of Bueckers, a savvy player who knows how to get and take open shots, including drives to the basket that are too quick to be fouled.

We have a smooth offense with an impressive amount of savvy players (add Fudd, Shade and even Cheli). While I hope we improve from being 350, we will not get as many calls as other top teams. Increasing foul attempts would likely depend on Arnold, Chen (the drivers) El-Affy or Brady (the posts). El-Affy would be the preferred candidate for this …. if she learns to shoot FTs better.

On edit: There are offenses/programs that seek contact to draw fouls. Notre Dame historically has been such a team (both on offense and defense). UConn tends to adapt to the roster. This roster has players that know how to move the ball and get open shots.

A year or two ago I was watching a game that was close but was getting away from one team (don’t remember who was playing). The commentator said, “They have to start trying to make shots rather than trying to get to the foul line.”. As you point out, UConn does a good job trying to make (and making) shots.

 

[sun]

IMO in large part the lack of UConn drawing fouls is a result of us playing a super aggresssive defense.
The refs let us get away with a lot of bumping & grinding that might technically be considered to be blocking but they let it ride as incidental contact instead of constantly interrupting the game with whistles.
Since the refs let us get away with so many "fouls" then they're compelled to also allow our opponent to not have fouls called as a tit for a tat.
Other types of mistakes that UConn makes that don't get caught or called by the refs that could have resulted in UConn turnovers only reinforces the refs to not blow the whistle on opponents when they foul our players.
Another reason why UConn doesn't get to the line as much.
Also UConn doesn't seem to get many putbacks from offensive rebounds under the basket that could draw fouls.
Another example, sometimes it can be seen in slow motion after a UConn "pick the pocket" steal that the UConn defender hit the wrist of the opposing ball handler before touching the ball. But the ref doesn't call it because it happened too fast & they tend to allow UConn to get away with playing an aggressive defense.
It tends to equalize in the end but the fact remains regarding UConn's low number of free throw attempts.

 

[fomalhaut]

Most of the comments are accurate, and tell some of the story. But Connecticut simply doesn't get many foul calls in its favor on drives to the basket: Arnold and Bueckers in particular get fouled constantly with no calls.

 

[VaConnFan11]

UConn shoots a lot of fade-aways and with the lack of any post play, there are few opportunities to get fouled.

In general, refs in women's games don't protect the shooter like they do in men's games.

 

[MSGRET]

I also think the refs swallow the whistle when Jana is down low. She gets fouled almost every time she tries to establish position.

 

[cabbie191]

Hmm - we’re 19-2 so whatever the reason for the fewer free throws, it doesn’t seem to be impacting the end result.

IMO, the 2-point loss to Southern Cal is the only close enough contest where FT shooting might have made a difference, but in that particular game, we shot almost 3 times as many FTs as they did, and made twice as many (10-5). The problem in that game is we shot <60% on our free throws. We shoot 75% and we would have won.

 

[BBallF]

Another reason is the place where the shots are being taken from. Pull up jumpers and 3s are less foul receiving, contrasted to layups.

 

[jcoton56]

Perhaps a deep dive into shooting fouls vs nonshooting fouls would be revelatory. We are always getting bumped off our cuts and defenders are forever trying to run through screens. Then there is all the contact being pressed and on inbounds plays and the like. The plan always seems to be when guarding UConn, you rough em up and they don’t fight back.

 

[Kat]

Is it our style of play without players attacking the hoop?

Bingo.

 

[Dogdude]

As Bone Dog stated earlier, getting to the foul line slows the game down for both teams. A huge part of our success is that we play fast..on defense, looking for steals, running to get open layups, and driving to the rim (and usually unsuccessfully it seems) puts the brakes on the sort of frenetic pace we're after. So between taking those open mid-range shots and not wanting to slow the game down, I would expect to see few fouls. Consider that every layup attempt that draws a foul usually means a missed shot, and also means there were probably two open shooters that could have made an easy bucket.