Missouri basketball takeaways: Is free throw shooting going to hurt Mizzou this year?

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The Tigers let it get interesting, but never let it slip away.

Missouri basketball won its second straight game in Southeastern Conference play by holding Vanderbilt at bay for most of the second half, never letting the Commodores fully erase a once-17-point lead before pulling away late for a 75-66 win Saturday at Mizzou Arena.

The Tigers (13-3, 2-1 SEC) took care of business on one of the, at least by predictive metrics, easier weeks on its conference slate. Mizzou beat LSU at home on Tuesday before capping a 2-0 week against the Commodores.

More: Missouri basketball score: Tigers outlast Vandy rally, go back-to-back in SEC play

Now, the schedule heats up again.

Here are three takeaways that are worth a deeper discussion before the Tigers head to face Florida on Tuesday in Gainesville:

Are free throws a problem for Missouri basketball?

Missouri is among the best teams in the country at getting to the free throw line. Mizzou leads the SEC with 28.6 attempts per game, actually. That has the potential to win a lot of games.

But only if the Tigers can capitalize when they get to the stripe.

Mizzou was 17-of-25 on free throws against Vanderbilt, getting to the line five more times than the Commodores but only converting one more than the visitors. Mizzou is at the top of the SEC for total free throw attempts but ranks 10th in the conference for converting them, knocking down 72.5% this season.

Anthony Robinson II went 5-of-9 against Vandy. Trent Pierce and Tamar Bates both went 1-of-2. Mark Mitchell, who has been a 60.4% free throw shooter this year and gets to the line leaps and bounds more than any other player, had a more positive 7-of-9 return.

MU has shown it can get to the stripe. If it’s going to win some games it maybe shouldn’t, it needs to make that strength count.

Jan 11, 2025; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers guard Anthony Robinson II (0) shoots a free throw against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the first half at Mizzou Arena. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/missouri-basketball-takeaways-free-throw-212722206.html

Author : Columbia Daily Tribune

Publish date : 2025-01-12 21:27:00

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