Free Throws Controversy at Michigan's Crisler Center Beats Spartans

Multiple referee decisions made it possible for Michigan to prevail against Michigan State, 60-59, on January 17 at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor.

Michigan’s Tim Hardaway Jr. drew two first-half charging fouls on layups made by MSU that should have been called blocking fouls. Hardaway’s feet were moving and clearly not set. Four points were taken off the scoreboard and two foul shots were taken away from the Spartans.

A replay showed Michigan State’s Draymond Green being fouled while shooting, but no call was made. This took away two free throws.

In the second half, MSU’s Keith Appling was clearly fouled on a running jumper. He made the shot and should have had a free throw tacked on.

Later, with the Spartans leading by three, Michigan’s Stu Douglas missed a layup and MSU’s Derrick Nix grabbed a rebound. With the ball in the hands of Nix, a ref called a shooting foul on Michigan State’s Draymond Green, giving Douglas two free throws.

On these observations alone, MSU had four points and three free throws taken from them, while Michigan had two free throws given to them. These events played a large part in the outcome of the game.

Michigan led for the first 35 minutes of the game, yet MSU led in major statistical categories, including rebounds (31 to 15), assists (13 to eight), three-point percentage (47 percent to 29 percent) and free-throw percentage (80 percent to 62 percent). Field-goal percentage was close, at 48 percent for MSU to 51 percent for Michigan, so something else had to contribute to the outcome.

A closer look revealed that MSU shot only 5 free throws while Michigan shot 13. MSU was called for 12 fouls, while the Wolverines were only whistled for 8.

This had a strong influence on coaching strategies and a direct effect on the game’s outcome. Free-throw differential has been a recurring theme in Michigan’s wins over MSU in Ann Arbor.

Michigan has won five of its last nine games against MSU in Ann Arbor. The Wolverines have more than doubled MSU’s free-throw attempts in four of five of the games and shot 11 more free throws than MSU in the fifth game.

Their free-throw attempt advantage was greater than their margin of victory in every win. There has been only one game at Crisler where MSU shot more free throws than Michigan: a 54-42 win in 2009, when Michigan fouled on purpose late in the game, giving MSU eight more free throws.

Michigan has attempted 74 more free throws than MSU in its five wins. As previously stated, in 2012 Michigan shot 13 free throws to MSU’s five.

In their 2011 70-63 win, UM shot 31 free throws to MSU’s 20, while MSU had four more fouls.

The Wolverines won in 2007, with the help of 33 free-throw attempts against MSU’s 15; there were also six more fouls called against MSU.

2006 was the most lopsided differential, with the Wolverines shooting 34 free throws to MSU’s 10. The Spartans also had 11 more fouls called against them.

It all started in 2003, with the Wolverines shooting 24 free throws to MSU’s 11 and with MSU being called for six more fouls.

The outcomes of these games were decided by free-throw attempts more than any other factor.

One might think that this is just an example of “home cooking,” which also happens at home for the Spartans.

In the last nine MSU vs. Michigan games played at the Breslin Center, only 2007’s 59-44 Spartan victory had either team shooting 50 percent or more free throws than the other, with 16 for MSU and four for UM. MSU’s 15-point margin of victory in the game was greater than the free-throw attempt difference.

The issue in Ann Arbor is related to four referees.

Ted Valentine and Terry Wymer worked the 2012 and 2011 games. Donne Gray officiated games in 2006 and 2007. Steve Welmer worked the game in 2003 and teamed up with Gray for the 2006 debacle.

The problem of the free-throw attempt difference is something that the Big Ten should investigate to ensure fairness in future games.

Over the past nine games at the Crisler Center, Michigan has attempted 70 more free throws than MSU. It’s hard enough to win conference games on the road. A team shouldn’t have to beat its opponent and the referees.

All statistics were obtained from the Michigan Wolverine stat site at thevictorsreport.com.