Despite an encouraging winning streak, Le Mans SB struggles considerably at the free throw line, a weakness that could cost them dearly in close matches.
The Sarthoise team is going through a rather paradoxical period. In the standings, things are going well: the team is stringing together victories and consolidating its position at the top of the table. But behind this flattering facade, one statistic stands out and is beginning to worry the Le Mans camp.
During the convincing win against Burgos (88-80), Le Mans players once again faltered at the free throw line. With a success rate of just 39%, the team literally gave fourteen free points to their opponent. A considerable waste that, in a different context, could have swung the outcome of the game.
This trend is not new. For several matches now, Le Mans's free throw statistics have remained concerning. Daily in training, the coaching staff multiplies specific drills to try to correct the shooting. But on the court, results are slow to improve, and the players' confidence seems affected by this persistent inaccuracy.
When questioned about this issue, the coach acknowledged the difficulty without dramatizing. "We work on this aspect every day," he essentially said. "It's a matter of concentration and pressure management. Our players are capable of shooting correctly, but something blocks at the crucial moment."
The fact remains that in modern basketball, where every possession counts, such poor efficiency at the free throw line represents a luxury that few high-level teams can afford. If Le Mans intends to maintain their winning pace, they will absolutely need to find solutions before this weakness becomes a major obstacle in the playoff race.
During the convincing win against Burgos (88-80), Le Mans players once again faltered at the free throw line. With a success rate of just 39%, the team literally gave fourteen free points to their opponent. A considerable waste that, in a different context, could have swung the outcome of the game.
This trend is not new. For several matches now, Le Mans's free throw statistics have remained concerning. Daily in training, the coaching staff multiplies specific drills to try to correct the shooting. But on the court, results are slow to improve, and the players' confidence seems affected by this persistent inaccuracy.
When questioned about this issue, the coach acknowledged the difficulty without dramatizing. "We work on this aspect every day," he essentially said. "It's a matter of concentration and pressure management. Our players are capable of shooting correctly, but something blocks at the crucial moment."
The fact remains that in modern basketball, where every possession counts, such poor efficiency at the free throw line represents a luxury that few high-level teams can afford. If Le Mans intends to maintain their winning pace, they will absolutely need to find solutions before this weakness becomes a major obstacle in the playoff race.
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Source: Ouest-France