Indiana Basketball: 3 reasons why Hoosiers’ start is no fluke

2. Free-Throw Shooting

if you told me a year ago that Indiana would be one of the best free-throw shooting teams in the country, I would have laughed. Now fast forward and the Hoosiers are a threat to draw a foul every second of the game.

Averaging 30.1 attempts per game, 1st in the NCAA, the Hoosiers have only had two games with less than 25 attempts, and have had more than 35 attempts three different times. All-in-all, they have shot above 68 percent in all but two games this season, for a team average of 71 percent on the year.

Last season Indiana shot just 66 percent from the line and had just four players shoot above the team average. This year, however, there are seven players who are above the 71 percent team average.

Though the Hoosiers have been good offensively, it has taken them to an entirely different level with their ability to get to the foul line. Look no further than against Florida State.

Deep in the second half when Indiana was struggling to score, the guards for the Hoosiers forced the issue and drew foul after foul when trying to break the full court pressure, resulting in much-needed points at the time.

With eight games last year decided by six points or less, free throw shooting was a downfall and could have ultimately cost them a chance at the NCAA Tournament last year. Just turning two of those games into wins could easily have been the two wins that put them over the top.