Free throw attempts.....this is the issue here.
Overall, our opponents get to the line 50% more than than we do. 50% MORE, WOW.
In 4 out of our 5 losses our opponent took more free throws than the margin of victory.
Here are the facts:
Robert Morris +16 free throws lost by 8
Winthrop +7 free throws lost by 1
UMASS +25 free throws lost by 9
Oklahoma + 16 free throws lost by 11.
Fouls are rarely committed on outside jump shots.
Fouls are committed on drives to the basket or low post plays.
In order for us to overcome this statistic we would need to shoot a very high FG %, like over 50%, and that doesn't happen on the road very often.
Since one would conclude that this team is not built around an interior game things are not likely to change.
Now I'm not a fan of JC, and this is not his team, but this is a Sweet Sixteen team from last year, and the only change from last year is JC. He clearly is not pushing the right buttons.
Fortunately those 1st 6 games were against inferior competition otherwise we would be looking at a loosing record right now.
While there is still time left to right this ship I'm not too optimistic.


GO BOBCATS

Bobcat1998...
I hope you final thoughts come to fruition.




GO BOBCATS

98...do you really think 14-2 in the MAC?  Having watched this league for over 40 years, I'd be willing to bet a hot fudge sundae on that one.  The real problem with this team is they are underperforming.  There are too many problems to list here.  Sounds like maybe #1 is that the players and coach are NOT on the same page in their approach to the game...yet.

I just got home from attending the Kent-Fairmont State (D-2 school) game and I stand by my 14-2 prediction. While Akron will be solid (yet missing Diggs and Cvetinovic will be huge) I was thoroughly unimpressed with Kent. I think it's a down year in the MAC both West and East. Who's going to stand up to us in the West? Eastern? Maybe. No one else. BG is tough but come on, against our guys. Chris Evans was great tonight for Kent but they have no one. I say 14-2 in a weak MAC year.

Free throws are absolutely a big problem. There are guys that need to remember how to get to the line more often. Guys like Ivo, Walt, DJ, Reggie should all be getting to the line on a regular basis.  I was pleased to see Ivo's 4-4 from the stripe in the last game.  Even last season, we were out "free throw attempted" a little bit.  Part of

But there is another issue if you look at the stat sheets last year over this year.  I see perimeter defense. We all recall last season, Ohio was one of the best in the country at defending the three.  This year, not the same so far.  Last season they defended the 3-pt shot at a 29.4% clip.  This year it's at 37%.  FG % defense as a whole is down from 41% to 43%.   Personally, from the games I've seen, it feels like there have been more open looks and uncontested shots this year so far.  Just my observations.

Last thing the stats say that we all know will be a problem sometimes with this team is rebounding. This group is getting out rebounded by a wider margin than last year thus far.  Getting more rebounds usually means getting to the line a little more.

To me, the bottom line is that there are issues in the mental, chemistry, and "toughness" areas of the game right now -- the basics of playing defense (that was excellent last season), getting to the line and getting rebounds. I think there's plenty of time to see those things get better.  At this point, we're in a win in March situation anyway, so hopefully we see things gelling in February again like in year's past.


The thing that has been running through my head in the last 3 weeks is this:  Will we possibly be better next year because next year will really be Jim's team?