Suddenly slumping at free throw line

[NewsCopy]

It's a mere matter of taking what is given, and making the most of it.

Yet the UL Ragin' Cajuns have been struggling from the free-throw line lately, going 12-of-22 in a loss last Saturday at Florida International and 11-of-21 in a loss last Thursday at Florida Atlantic.

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[DocCajun]

Suddenly?

[Turbine]

It's suddenly wet outside.

[MelRock]

Before the last two games they were shooting 72% from the free throw line. They are currently shooting 68% from the free throw line. Not great but better than last year. This year so far in the wins the team is shooting 74% and in the losses they are shooting 65%. Also in 2 of the losses they shot 86% (12-14) and 82% (23-28), in another loss they shot 77% (10-13).

[IberiaCajun]

MelRock,
Do you have the free throw stats showing the percentages of home vs. away?

[MelRock]

MelRock,
Do you have the free throw stats showing the percentages of home vs. away?

I will pull them.

[MelRock]

Here you go, not a whole lot different.
Overall 69%
Home 71% - Away 66%
Home Record 6-2
Home wins 72% - Home losses 65%
Away Record 1-9
Away wins 73% - Away losses 65%

[IberiaCajun]

We definitely shoot free throws better at home than on the road.
What is interesting is, we are shooting even better in our road wins than our home wins (73%-71%).

[IberiaCajun]

"LONG RANKS AMONG THE NATION’S TOP FRESHMEN: A closer look at the recent NCAA stats shows that Shawn Long ranks among the top freshmen in the nation this year. Long ranks third nationally in rebounding among freshman, trailing only Binghamton's Jordan Reed (10.0 rpg) and Longwood's Michael Kessens (9.9), and he was seventh among freshman scorers averaging 16.6 points a game as of Jan. 3." --- UL-SI
Now, if we can only keep him in the game!

[IberiaCajun]

Another bit of good news:
"THE MBAM HAS GONE OFF: There is no hotter player in the Sun Belt than junior Bryant Mbamalu, who has scored 20 or more points in four of the last six games. Mbamalu started the run with a 21-point effort against Robert Morris on Dec. 18 and then followed it up with 22 points vs. Duquesne on Dec. 22. After a season low four points at Arkansas State on Dec. 27, he came back to score a season-high 26 vs. UALR on Dec. 29. He had had 17 points at Florida Atlantic and 23 at FIU last week. Over the last six games, Mbamalu is averaging 18.3 points a game, shooting .656 from the field (41-64) and .533 from three-point (16-30). Those are considerably improved numbers over the .423 he shot from the field (41-97) and .340 from three-point (16-47) over the first 11 games." --- UL-SI

[MelRock]

We definitely shoot free throws better at home than on the road.
What is interesting is, we are shooting even better in our road wins than our home wins (73%-71%).

Well yes, but we have only won 1 game on the road, so not a good comparison. That is why I placed the home and away records. In 3 of the losses on the road Boise 86%, New Mexico 77% and McNeese 82% we shot free throws very well. What it comes down to that this team is young but getting better.
Both Bryant Mbamalu and Elfrid Payton are starting to thrive in Marlin's system. Besides Alan-Michael Thompson they are the only ones that have spent more than 1 year on the team. I guess my point is these team is only going to get better. If they can hit their stride going into the SBC Tournament it should be exciting. The next 2 years we are going to be looking at the favorite to win the SBC West if not the the whole Sun Belt.
Geaux Cajuns!!

[MelRock]

Here are some numbers
Shawn Long 36th in NCAA & 2nd in the Sun Belt rebounds
Elfrid Payton 34th in NCAA & 1st in the Sun Belt in steals
Shawn Long 8th in NCAA & 2nd in the Sun Belt double doubles

I believe we have a few more stats that are in the top 50 of the NCAA, but I have not have time to look them up. I usually post stats on my twitter account @CajunFan11 for basketball, softball and baseball.

Geaux Cajuns!!!