Centre Daily Times | 01/22/2005 | Free throws could be key for Penn State:
“They’re considered free points if they’re made, ones that got away if missed. They are free throws, and they could very well determine which team gets its first Big Ten win (weather permitting) at 4 p.m. today at the Bryce Jordan Center — Penn State or Northwestern.
“The Nittany Lions (6-11, 0-4 Big Ten) have been mainly solid from the line this season, making 69 percent, good for seventh in the Big Ten. Two problems: The team’s best free throw shooter, sophomore guard Marlon Smith, is out for the season. And the remaining Nittany Lions haven’t hit free throws when it has counted.
“‘The more you talk about it sometimes, the worse it can be,’ Penn State men’s basketball coach Ed DeChellis said. ‘I don’t think we’ve been horrible — if you look at our stats, we’re shooting almost 70 percent. It’s at the times when (the misses have) come is the most troubling.’
“Particularly during the last few games at home, where Penn State has lost four in a row — three by a combined total of eight points. The Nittany Lions missed several key free throws during those three games, losses to Buffalo, Texas A&M; and Michigan. The fundamentals have been sound — no Nittany Lion regular is shooting worse than 68 percent — but no one has been immune to the lapses in the clutch. …”