Backwards Shooting Percentages In The ACC

Players who have it backwards provide one of our favorite statistical oddities. Last year, of 144 ACC players who saw at least 100 minutes of action, just eight managed to shoot better from the floor than from the line.

Think about that. Not an optimal trait.

Obviously you should be more accurate from the free throw line, standing still and shooting while facing minimal proximate disruption by a defender, as opposed to trying a far wider range of shots, sometimes while in motion, against players set to stop you. Then, too, launching a foul shot is simple, at least in theory. Attempts come from a set distance with a consciously balanced stance, reflecting practiced and preferably immutable form.

As in past years, those hitting more efficiently from the floor than the line in 2020 were mostly big men. This isn’t surprising since they’re normally positioned closer to the basket than other players, their shots often dunks, layups, or short jumpers with a downward trajectory. Many of their field goal tries are generated by offensive rebounds.

Four of seven ‘20 players with higher field goal than free throw percentages made at least 60 percent of their tries from the floor. An eighth, NC State’s Danny Dixon, a little-used, 6-10 grad transfer, made exactly 60 percent in either circumstance.

The shortest of the five returnees whose shooting is reversely effective is 6-10 Bourama Sidibe of Syracuse (also a profilic generator of disqualifications as noted in a previous chart).

Three of the eight whose field goal efficiency exceeded their touch at the foul line are no longer in the league. Three of the remaining five started a majority of their team’s games.

None of the eight were double-figure scorers.