Sun Belt Preview

[MeanGreen61]

http://www.collegehoopsnet.com/blog/marchm...ce-preview.html

North Texas could really make noise in the West division. They return three starters, including all-conference guard Kendrick Davis. Davis is an excellent scorer and a very good shooter from both inside and outside the arc. Moreover, he also plays solid defense and passes the ball well. Two players that averaged just under double-figures in scoring last season also return on the perimeter. Calvin Watson is a good point producer who can also grab a couple of rebounds, while Michael Sturns could be poised for a big season. JC transfer Ben Bell will have a chance to play at the point due to his passing ability. The frontcourt is also solid. Arizona State transfer Keith Wooden is expected to step in immediately and produce up front. Quincy Williams and Harold Edwards head the returnees at the forward spots and both will have to up their production this season.

[GreenBat]

Davis is an excellent scorer and a very good shooter from both inside and outside the arc. Moreover, he also plays solid defense and passes the ball well.

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North Texas has a player that plays defense, hallelujah. Now if he could teach someone else to play it as well. Also they need to make around 70 percent of their free throws this year to have a chance at being any good!

[MeanGreenBuzz]

Also they need to make around 70 percent of their free throws this year to have a chance at being any good!

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That stat cost us atleast 4 games last season, a better seed in the Sun Belt Tourney and possibly a better shot at the NCAAs.

[GreenBat]

It's cost NT ever since JJ's been here. The team CANNOT shoot free throws!

They need a copy of "Free Throw Shooting for Dummies."

[MeanGreenBuzz]

It's cost NT ever since JJ's been here. The team CANNOT shoot free throws!

They need a copy of "Free Throw Shooting for Dummies."

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Think we could collect enough donations to hire Don Nelson's free throw guy for a month?

[CMJ]

It's cost NT ever since JJ's been here. The team CANNOT shoot free throws!

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I'll go further...it's cost us for about 10 seasons!

I don't think we've been able to hit free throws since Jankovich. It's been awhile, but I seem to recall we shot pretty decently from the stripe then.

[Buford_Julep]

8 of 15 free throw shooting probably caused NT to lose to MTSU 62-60 last season, but I certainly don't remember three other losses because of poor free throw shooting. On the other hand, I think NT's 21-24 from the line played a big part in the 82-79 win over Ark St.

Composite NCAA div I free throw shooting has averaged near .667 (two out of three) for about the last 40 years. Last season's .662 was below average. The percentage was brought down severely by several players who played most of their minutes in blow-outs. Take out Howerton (15-36) Barnett (15-26) and Ruffin (4-11) and NT was an above average free throw shooting team.

Jankovich era free throw percentage:

94-95___ .663

95-96___ .689

96-97___ .666

Jones era free throw percentage:

01-02___ .708

02-03___ .702

03-04 ___.640

04-05 ___.702

05-06 ___.662

Trilli era

97-98 ___ .701

98-99 ___ .658

99-00 ___ .665

00-01 ___ .673

Gales conference championship years

87-88 ___ .649

88-89 ___ .658

Blakely era

75-76 ___ .731

76-77 ___ .659

77-78 ___ .680

78-79 ___ .710

79-80 ___ .695

80-81 ___ .665

81-82 ___ .691

82-83 ___ .662

Spika era

65-66 ___ .701

66-67 ___ .675

67-68 ___ .644

68-69 ___ .719

69-70 ___ .668

70-71 ___ .700

Thanks to 2005-06 media guide and UNT athltics web site.

[GreenBat]

I would be interested to know, what the NCAA FT average has been for those seasons. Just provide the link, I'll do the research.

[Buford_Julep]

Link