Georgia Tech was having considerable success getting to the free-throw line more than its opposition. And then the Yellow Jackets started the ACC schedule.
Tech has begun the ACC season at 1-3, with a home win over No. 13 Virginia and road losses to No. 5 North Carolina, No. 20 Pittsburgh and Notre Dame. (The Jackets’ four opponents have a combined record of 53-12, the strongest record of any ACC team’s league opponents to date. But that’s a different matter.)
The Jackets’ three losses each have been distinguished by free-throw totals heavily favoring the winning team, particularly in the second half. North Carolina, Pittsburgh and Notre Dame shot a combined 91 free throws to Tech’s 51, a difference of 13.3 free throws per game. Worse for Tech, the three teams have shot 77-for-91, a sizzling 84.6 percent. Given that the Jackets have lost each of the games by eight points or fewer, that’s not an insignificant factor.
Coach Brian Gregory said that most of the fouls on Tech have been called on drives to the basket rather than on shots taken in the post.
On defense, “we need to do a better job in moving our feet and showing our hands on drives,” he said.
A re-emphasis this season on rules that allow greater freedom of movement for players on offense evidently is sticking.
“Once you put your hands on ’em, it’s an automatic foul,” guard Marcus Georges-Hunt said. “So the best thing is just keep your hands up, show your hands, and I don’t believe they can call anything if you keep showing your hands.”
Somewhat oddly, the whistles have been heard mostly in the second halves of the three losses. In the three first halves, Tech had a 31-25 free-throw advantage. In the second halves, it’s been 66-20 against the Jackets.
Gregory acknowledged that “everything is magnified” in the final 10 minutes of a game. That said, he hasn’t seen any difference in the way his teams have defended before and after halftime.
Gregory was asked Friday if he had seen anything that might prompt him to call the ACC office and ask for an explanation.
“I’m going to stay very politically correct and pass that question on,” he said.
In league games, Tech opponents have taken 113 free throws, the most in the league. They’ve made 80.5 percent, the second highest rate in the conference.
Tech’s fouling habit has been compounded by the Jackets’ inability to get to the line. With 69 free throws in four games, Tech is minus-44 relative to its opponents, the worst margin in the ACC. Virginia Tech, the Jackets’ opponent Saturday at McCamish Pavilion, is plus-27, second best in the league.
The Jackets weren’t expecting this when they finished the non-conference season having taken 265 free throws to their opponents’ 211.
To balance the deficit, Tech needs to play more aggressively on offense, Gregory said. Players in the post have to go strong to the basket and not avoid contact while players on the perimeter have to attack gaps.
“And, to be honest, you have to put the official in a position where they have to make a call if there’s contact in there,” Gregory said.
Georges-Hunt has been particularly effective at creating contact to draw whistles. His 111 free throws rank fourth most among ACC players and were tied for 46th in the country through Thursday’s games.
Guards Josh Heath and Adam Smith, while lacking Georges-Hunt’s size and strength, have the quickness to attack gaps and break down defenses, where fouls often occur. However, they’ve taken a combined 40 free throws in the team’s 17 games and 11 in the four ACC games.
“It can’t just be Marcus,” Gregory said. “It has to be some other guys.”
Among post players, forwards Charles Mitchell, Nick Jacobs and James White and center Ben Lammers have taken 25 free throws in four ACC games.
Said Gregory, “We need to be a little stronger on our finishes.”
White recognized that he has passed up opportunities to go strong to the basket.
“Like coach said, just being aggressive when you catch it, don’t think about it or anything, just go to your move,” he said.
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