Free-Throw Shooting Not Among Strengths So Far
Say what you will about the Utes last season, but if there was one thing they could do, it was make free throws.
Now, maybe less so.
The Utes are shooting an unspectacular 67 percent from the free-throw line after four games, ranking seventh in the Mountain West Conference after hitting 74 percent to rank second in the league and 31st nationally last season.
Not to pile on, but center Luke Nevill has been among the worst offenders.
Historically a strong free-throw shooter, the 7-foot-1 junior is only 16-of-26, and he missed three in a row at one point in the first half of the 72-57 loss to Santa Clara last night. He also had a stretch against High Point at the NIT Season Tip-Off Tournament in Seattle during which he missed three of four while the Utes were straining to pull away from the Panthers, and the Utes as a team made only 11-of-18 in an 83-77 loss at Washington last week.
And that could be a problem, considering how often Nevill should be able to get to the free-throw line against defenses that will foul him to keep him from making easy dunks and lay-ups.
Strangely, though, fellow Australian Stephen Weigh is even worse.
The sophomore forward is just 3-for-7 this season, after making 68 percent last season. Guard Lawrence Borha has been probably the best free-throw shooter so far, making 10-of-12 for 83 percent -- though guard Johnnie Bryant, guard Luka Drca and forward Morgan Grim have yet to miss on a combined eight attempts.
Now, maybe less so.
The Utes are shooting an unspectacular 67 percent from the free-throw line after four games, ranking seventh in the Mountain West Conference after hitting 74 percent to rank second in the league and 31st nationally last season.
Not to pile on, but center Luke Nevill has been among the worst offenders.
Historically a strong free-throw shooter, the 7-foot-1 junior is only 16-of-26, and he missed three in a row at one point in the first half of the 72-57 loss to Santa Clara last night. He also had a stretch against High Point at the NIT Season Tip-Off Tournament in Seattle during which he missed three of four while the Utes were straining to pull away from the Panthers, and the Utes as a team made only 11-of-18 in an 83-77 loss at Washington last week.
And that could be a problem, considering how often Nevill should be able to get to the free-throw line against defenses that will foul him to keep him from making easy dunks and lay-ups.
Strangely, though, fellow Australian Stephen Weigh is even worse.
The sophomore forward is just 3-for-7 this season, after making 68 percent last season. Guard Lawrence Borha has been probably the best free-throw shooter so far, making 10-of-12 for 83 percent -- though guard Johnnie Bryant, guard Luka Drca and forward Morgan Grim have yet to miss on a combined eight attempts.
posted by www.sltrib.com @ 2:57 PM |
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