English and his "pinch-shooting"

Like most of America, I thought it was pretty ridiculous when Missouri's J.T. Tiller was "unable" to shoot his free throws with 5.5 seconds remaining in a tie game, which allowed Kim English to shoot them instead. And it looked even more ridiculous when Tiller tried to return to the game moments after English made the free throws.

Trust me America, I'm with you.

That looked bad.

But did you know English is actually a worse free throw shooter than Tiller?

It's true.

Tiller entered the game as 75.9 percent free throw shooter.

English entered as a 68.0 percent free throw shooter.

So technically -- or at least statistically -- Missouri would've been better off with Tiller taking the free throws, and I just thought that was worth pointing out, how this wasn't quite like Jim Boeheim using Eric Devendorf (78.8 percent free throw shooter) to shoot free throws for Arinze Onuaku (29.5 percent free throw shooter). On the other hand, it's also worth noting -- because Marquette fans have almost certainly noted it -- that English was in the middle of his best game ever and thus had a "hot hand," if you believe in such things. And that's a fair point, I guess. But either way, my primary point is that English is technically a worse free throw shooter than Tiller, and with that I'll turn my attention toward the Sweet 16, and all the great match-ups to come.

English and his "pinch-shooting"

Mizzoufan38 Since: Nov 30, 2006	Posted on: March 24, 2009 5:07 pm English and his "pinch-shooting" Anderson chose English saying "he could see it in his eyes" that he was going to make those FTs. And yes, there were other players such as Marcus Denmon 75% on the bench that could have come in. It was legit and legal so I dont understand why these Marq fans are saying we cheated. [ Reply to Comment ]
Sidd_Finch Since: Jan 27, 2009	Posted on: March 24, 2009 12:53 pm English and his "pinch-shooting" I was surprised when Anderson selected a freshman whose FT% is in the 60's. True, he had a great first half, but he hadn't played much in the second half and I don't think he had scored in the second half prior to those FTs. I read somewhere that there were players on the bench (maybe it's only one player; I don't remember) who had a higher FT% than the English kid. If true, was Anderson ever asked why he selected English? Tough spot to put a freshman. To see him shoot those FTs, you would have thought he was shooting in practice, not shooting with the chance to advance to the SS on the line. And no, I'm not a Missouri fan or a Marquette fan. [ Reply to Comment ]
Mizzoufan38 Since: Nov 30, 2006	Posted on: March 23, 2009 11:30 pm English and his "pinch-shooting" AND i might point out... English sat on the bench nearly the entire second half. He came in cold to shoot those FTs. Not only that, Mike Anderson replaced a 75% "junior" with a 68% true "freshmen" that avg 11 min a game. HArdly a ringer replacement for our BEST FT shooter this year. If Tiller was able to go he would have. He's the toughest guy on our team and plays hard every game. You dont get defensive player of the year for nothing. Marq fans need to quit whining about losing because of the FTs.. Point the finger at your coach and player for not having a decent play good enough to break Mizzous press. Mizzous defense caused that out of bounds play to happen. [ Reply to Comment ]
unc_heels15 Since: Sep 20, 2006	Posted on: March 23, 2009 9:14 am English and his "pinch-shooting" Good post Parrish, glad I wasn't the only one who noticed. [ Reply to Comment ]
AWOLTiger Since: Mar 23, 2009	Posted on: March 23, 2009 1:33 am English and his "pinch-shooting" What Parrish fails to note - is that Tiller is also nursing a fractured wrist. Parrish, fact check a bit huh? He landed on his wrist and his hand went completely numb. There is no scandal, no "injury". It is exactly what it is. He jacked up his already injured wrist. [ Reply to Comment ]
Mutiger Since: Sep 1, 2006	Posted on: March 22, 2009 11:59 pm English and his "pinch-shooting" He hit the ground with his left hand. His right hand has been taped up for awhile now as he was already hurting there......that is his shooting hand That didn't effect his ability to come back in and play defense.... This is the dumbest complaint I have ever seen [ Reply to Comment ]
foreverstate Since: Jul 16, 2008	Posted on: March 22, 2009 11:52 pm English and his "pinch-shooting" It did seem odd to me that right after he hit the ground he was healthy enough to pound the ground with his hands to show his excitement over getting to the line. In any case, MU had the chance to tie the game with 5.5 seconds left and didn't draw up a good enough play to in bound the ball. I am actually suprised heyward doesn't get called for that more. He always seems to be falling over the line while inbounding it. [ Reply to Comment ]
mutiger312 Since: Aug 19, 2007	Posted on: March 22, 2009 9:32 pm English and his "pinch-shooting" Tiller was going to make those free throws anyway. There is no scandal. Tiller appeared hurt, and in a split-second decision, Mike Anderson decided to sub in English, a player he knew was healthy. Thank you for not allowing a confusing ending to overshadow a great game and great win for Mizzou. [ Reply to Comment ]
big_red01027 Since: Feb 19, 2007	Posted on: March 22, 2009 8:46 pm English and his "pinch-shooting" and all the great match-ups to come Syracuse/Oklahoma looks like the best one to me. Griffin could go for 40, and the Orange could still win. Hah! [ Reply to Comment ]

I was surprised when Anderson selected a freshman whose FT% is in the 60's. True, he had a great first half, but he hadn't played much in the second half and I don't think he had scored in the second half prior to those FTs.

I read somewhere that there were players on the bench (maybe it's only one player; I don't remember) who had a higher FT% than the English kid. If true, was Anderson ever asked why he selected English? Tough spot to put a freshman. To see him shoot those FTs, you would have thought he was shooting in practice, not shooting with the chance to advance to the SS on the line.

And no, I'm not a Missouri fan or a Marquette fan.

English and his "pinch-shooting"

AND i might point out... English sat on the bench nearly the entire second half. He came in cold to shoot those FTs. Not only that, Mike Anderson replaced a 75% "junior" with a 68% true "freshmen" that avg 11 min a game. HArdly a ringer replacement for our BEST FT shooter this year. If Tiller was able to go he would have. He's the toughest guy on our team and plays hard every game. You dont get defensive player of the year for nothing. Marq fans need to quit whining about losing because of the FTs.. Point the finger at your coach and player for not having a decent play good enough to break Mizzous press. Mizzous defense caused that out of bounds play to happen.

English and his "pinch-shooting"

It did seem odd to me that right after he hit the ground he was healthy enough to pound the ground with his hands to show his excitement over getting to the line. In any case, MU had the chance to tie the game with 5.5 seconds left and didn't draw up a good enough play to in bound the ball. I am actually suprised heyward doesn't get called for that more. He always seems to be falling over the line while inbounding it.

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