They Call Them Free Throws For a Reason

No one defends a free throw. The shot comes from a mere fifteen feet from the basket. No one defends a free throw. No one defends a free throw.

It is free. It should be an automatic point about 80% of the time, but free throw shooting has suffered in college basketball. No one practices free throws. There is no glamor in the shooting of the free throw. No one cheers wildly and chants, "Free!", when one is made. No one gets excited by the athleticism of the free throw unlike the ecstasy enjoyed by the casual fan when the tomahawk, the helicopter, or the free throw line throw-down are executed by a player.

And that's the problem. Nothing excites a fan like the slam or the '3', yet games are often decided by the success or failure at the line.

Last night's Hilltopper game was a loss for my beloved Tops because the team hit a miserable 11-for-22 from the stripe. 50%. It is a grade of 'F' in every single class at WKU. It is 'F' in basketball.

I ached every time a Topper went to the line, and I told my buddy that the best defense South Al had was to send us to the free throw line. Eleven misses for the game that the Toppers lost by 4. Making just half the misses would have won the game for the Toppers. As it was, the men in Red and White lost.

Free. It doesn't come along often, but you'd better be prepared because free matters.