basketball-men-d1 flag

Austin R. Vaughn | NCAA.com | January 17, 2016

College basketball: 8 guys you don't want to send to the line

Rooting for your favorite team to stop the clock with a foul in the final seconds, grab a rebound and pull off a miracle? Good idea - just don't send one of these eight guys to the line.

Buddy Hield, Sr., G, Oklahoma

  Oklahoma's Buddy Hield is making a strong push for college basketball's biggest individual honor.

The Naismith hopeful boasts a .901 free-throw average in addition to his almost 27 points per game. If you're trying to upset Oklahoma (15-1) in the final seconds, slapping Hield won't help your chances.

Kellen Dunham, Sr., G, Butler

Dunham has definitely been an important ingredient in the No. 23 Bulldogs' run to 12-4, but his field goal percentages don't look super hot. However, his free-throw percentage (.903) is stellar. 

Isaiah Miles, Sr., F, St. Joseph's

Miles is a play-maker, posting a .535 field-goal percentage for the Red Hawks. The forward also boasts a .904 free-throw percentage. The Red Hawks' tournament chances are in good hands if Miles is on the line.

Justin Coleman, So., G, Alabama

The 5'10" sophomore's main contribution to the Crimson Tide offense is foul shots. But, what a contribution it is. Coleman shoots .929 from the line, No. 6 in the nation.

Luke Kennard, Fr., G, Duke

The Blue Devils are looking for a repeat after taking home the national title in 2015. That effort could get a late-game boost from Kennard, who owns a .932 percentage from behind the line.

Myles Davis, Jr., G, Xavier

Davis finished his sophomore season with an .872 free-throw percentage, and he's starting his junior campaign with an even more impressive show from behind the line (.935). The No. 7 Musketeers are 15-1 this season.

Je'lon Hornbeak, Jr., G, Monmouth

While Monmouth's bench has stolen the show so far this season, Hornbeak's play in clutch situations may be the real story. The junior guard's main offensive contribution is foul shots, but, when you boast a .949 free-throw percentage, that may be the only contribution you need.

Jontrell Walker, So., G, Incarnate Word

The Cardinals' season hasn't been great so far. However, Walker has posted the best free-throw percentage in the nation. The sophomore's .959 could be just the building block Incarnate Word needs to turn around its season.

16 top storylines to watch in 2023 NCAA softball regionals

The 2023 DI softball tournament is set to be a wild one — here is one storyline to watch for every regional in the tournament.
READ MORE

Duke leaps 10 spots up to No. 10 in new D1Baseball Top 25 rankings

LSU is still No. 1 in the D1Baseball.com poll on May 1, and Duke had the biggest rise up to No. 10
READ MORE

What March Madness looked like the year you were born

Here's wishing you a very vintage March Madness and may all your dreams of a perfect bracket come true. Here's what March Madness looked like the year you were born.
READ MORE

Subscribe To Email Updates

Enter your information to receive emails about offers, promotions from NCAA.com and our partners