I went through the ESPN play-by-play box score of last night's game just to dig a little deeper into how MSU was able to put up such a gaudy number for FG%. If you break down all the MSU's shots by category, this is what you get:
Dunks: 10/10 (100%)
Lay-ups: 14/15 (93%)
3-point jumpers: 4/9 (44%)
2-point jumpers: 2/10 (20%)
Total: 30/44 (68%)
Going in, I knew that MSU scored a lot at the rim, but I had no idea it was this severe. MSU scored 48 points at point-blank range, 23 points from the FT line, and only 16 points on jumpers.
Honestly, I am not sure how I feel about these numbers. Certainly Illinois' style of play enabled the dunks and layups, but MSU only shot 6/19 (32%) when not right at the rim. Ironically, this seems a bit low, but it is hard to say as pretty much all shooting stats include some dunks and layups. At this point I will just declare this "interesting."
Also notable from the box score, it appears that 4 of Cash's 5 fouls were offensive fouls. I think both Langford and McQuad had one each as well. I personally hate the way that crew officiated this game. It reminded me of some of our traditional Duke games where the other team is allowed to clutch, grab, bump, reach in, etc.but as soon as the MSU dribbler make even minor contact, it's deemed a foul. I am not convinced many or maybe even any of those calls should have been made. Freedom of Movement my butt.
Dunks: 10/10 (100%)
Lay-ups: 14/15 (93%)
3-point jumpers: 4/9 (44%)
2-point jumpers: 2/10 (20%)
Total: 30/44 (68%)
Going in, I knew that MSU scored a lot at the rim, but I had no idea it was this severe. MSU scored 48 points at point-blank range, 23 points from the FT line, and only 16 points on jumpers.
Honestly, I am not sure how I feel about these numbers. Certainly Illinois' style of play enabled the dunks and layups, but MSU only shot 6/19 (32%) when not right at the rim. Ironically, this seems a bit low, but it is hard to say as pretty much all shooting stats include some dunks and layups. At this point I will just declare this "interesting."
Also notable from the box score, it appears that 4 of Cash's 5 fouls were offensive fouls. I think both Langford and McQuad had one each as well. I personally hate the way that crew officiated this game. It reminded me of some of our traditional Duke games where the other team is allowed to clutch, grab, bump, reach in, etc.but as soon as the MSU dribbler make even minor contact, it's deemed a foul. I am not convinced many or maybe even any of those calls should have been made. Freedom of Movement my butt.
