Syracuse Basketball vs. Pittsburgh: 5 Takeaways

Dec 30, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Syracuse Orange guard Trevor Cooney (10) shoots a free throw against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the first half at the Petersen Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Got to Make the Freebies

How do players who are supposedly some of the best in the country shoot only 60% from the free throw line? How does a guy who hits almost 50% of his three pointers make only 50% of his free throws? How does this happen!?

Again, free throw shooting is a fundamental skill. It’s one of the first things you ever learn how to do in basketball. If you’ve ever been to a basketball camp you’ve played knockout. If you’ve ever played a pick up game, you’ve shot free throws to decide teams or decide who gets to play.

So why is it that almost every single year, free throw shooting is the bane of the Syracuse basketball team? Do they not practice it enough? Do they need to take more time to play knockout? I don’t know. I’m sure I could round up some ten year olds who could help them with that.

What I do know is that something has to change. Whether that means hiring a new coach to specifically teach free throw shooting, or just spending more time on it in practice, something’s got to give.

In three of Syracuse’s four losses this season, the team has shot 46-76 from the free throw line. That’s just 60%. Though not the only reason for the losses, it is one of the most prominent in all three of those games. Especially Wisconsin, where a single made free throw in regulation would have been a win.

Combine that with the awful team rebounding, and it’s a recipe for disaster. It’s one of the reasons I keep saying this team can lose to anyone in the ACC. Poor shooting at the line coupled with poor rebounding puts even bad teams in the mix against us, a point proven by St. Bonaventure, Wisconsin, St. John’s, Texas Southern, and others.

I repeat, something’s got to give.