Is there a reason that free throws nowadays are anything but?  Had Clemson been able to knock down even one, they could have avoided the first and second overtime and won their first game at UNC in 53 tries.  Instead they went 0-4 in regulation, 1st OT 0-1 and finally in the second OT they made their first free throw after starting 0-6 in 46 minutes and 43 seconds.  A.J. (a 77% shooter) missed 5 free throws in the last 3:47 and nearly cost Vanderbilt a sure win.  Florida state leads the country with a percentage of 78.7.   Duke is shooting 68.5%, Memphis 58.4%, Kansas 69%, Tenneessee 64%, UCLA up to 75%, but North Carolina is best of contenders at 76%. 

    Is it that coaches do not care to focus on free throws in practice?  Do the players hate the idea of shooting inside the three point arc?  Or have the fans finally discovered a way to affect the ball in is flight to the rim?  Another example, Illinois has a chance at line to finish the game, but no dice.  They go 2-4 (virtually 2-5 since it was a 1&1 situation) in the last 2:16 and overtime is forced.   Then 1-4 in OT number 1 (if you are keeping track here Shaun Pruitt has missed his first 5, this includes two with 2 seconds left to end the game, a second time.)  His first make comes with 1:32 left in the 2nd OT to put him 1-7 and the team loses.  In Indiana's past game they were a solid 7-7 from the line, anyone care to know the final score............ 59-53, they win by 6!  Free throws are far too important to let your team shoot 59% (that's you Alabama!)  Tenneessee had to squeak by a LSU team that just fired its coach and had only one conference win, in a 47-45 decision.  Had they taken care of business from the line (only 4-15) then they wouldn't have needed a miracle steal.  Notre Dame made its last 11 and 12 of 13 to keep their home win streak alive.  Going back once again to last Thursday, one could say that the last second three pointer gave Pitt the win over WVU; however, had WVU shot better than 7-17 from the line it would not have been a problem. 

      Why not go the route of Rick Barry and shoot granny style?  Well that doesn't impress the ladies.  Then again neither does 52% Richard Hendrix.  He is 3rd in SEC in PPG, but if he wasn't 78-149  from the line he may be first, and Alabama could have more wins if they weren't 279 of 468.