Indiana’s 50-40-90 Candidates: Who’s Got a Shot?
One of the toughest statistical feats to reach in basketball over the course of a season is the 50-40-90 mark; that’s going a whole season shooting 50 percent from the floor, 40 percent from deep, and perhaps the toughest task of them all, connecting on 90 percent of your free throw attempts.
There were three players that met the percentages, but only one had enough makes to count. In order to be eligible for the feat, one must have made at least 45 shots from the floor, have at least 8 three-pointers made, and have 20 made free throws.
Luke Brown, a Blackford freshman, was the only player to complete this astonishing feat with a 50-43-92 spread. Brown averaged 27.8 points a game and made 122/244 from the floor, 51/120 from behind the arc, and 122/132 from the charity stripe.
With the new season underway, let’s take a look at 10 other players who have a shot at this amazing feat this season
Keith Rupert – Mount Vernon (Fortville) – Last year: 45% FG, 38% 3FG, 100% FT
Rupert was very close to the feat last year. He was just a couple made baskets away. If he gets his percentages up this year, he should be able to complete the feat. Rupert has the toughest part down -the free throw shooting. He was 21/21 from the charity stripe last year.
Nolin Sharick – Fairfield – Last year: 45% FG, 35% 3FG, 95% FT
Sharick has the free throws pretty easily, but shooting the ball might be a problem. He only made six three-pointers last year, and you need eight to be eligible for the feat. He will need to shoot more this year and I am not sure if he can be more efficient by putting up more shots.
Josh Smith – Monrovia – Last year: 50% FG, 31% 3FG, 92% FT
One of the best scorers in the state, Smith is deadly around the rim and in the mid-range. Smith just needs to improve his three point shooting and I think he can with the players around him. He has a good shot, he just needs to pick his outside shots wisely.
Justin Hensley – Cathedral – Last year: 43% FG, 49% 3FG, 89% FT
Hensley is my pick to be the most likely guy to make it this year. He got a ton better this past year and is finishing at the rim better than he ever has. That will really allow him to boost his FG% and he should be able to get the other percentages rather easily.
Dan McKeeman – FW Carroll – Last year: 48% FG, 41% 3FG, 89% FT
McKeeman has been very close to getting the honor every year and this year may finally be his year. He has a clean stroke just needs to make a few more shots. The toughest part is improving his free throw percentage but he is pretty steady from the line so that should be no problem.
Nick Koons – Rising Sun – Last year: 48% FG, 36% 3FG, 89% FT
Koons is a good scorer for Rising Sun and he is going to get his shots up this year. He was very close in all three categories last year and should be able to get those percentages where they are needed this year. Koons is a guy who is going to score a lot this year for Rising Sun.
Mike Perkins – LaGrange – Last year: 45% FG, 47% 3FG, 88% FT
Perkins was lights out last year from deep. He just needed a few more shots from inside the arc to fall and for hit free throws to be a little more consistent. Perkins is a guy who can really get going an score a ton of points. Makes his way to the line a lot so he’ll have his opportunities to pad his free throw percentages.
Isaiah Thompson – Zionsville – Last year: 45% FG, 44% 3FG, 87% FT
Thompson, a Purdue commit, can really shoot the ball. He is a volume shooter, but makes most of his shots anyway. Thompson is someone who can get really hot with the ball and could easily raise his 3FG% with a little bit better shot selection. He is going to be a treat to watch this year.
Greyson Green – Seeger – Last year: 50% FG, 40% 3FG, 87% FT
Green almost had it last year. If he would have made both of his free throws in the sectional loss to Covington, he would have eclipsed the free throw percentage threshold. This year, I really think that Green will be able to do it. The shooting percentages from the field will be there – he just needs to keep up his free throw shooting.
Jalen Windham – Ben Davis – Last year: 49% FG, 46% 3FG, 87% FT
Windham is going to be relied on heavily this year to score now that Aaron Henry has graduated. Windham is one of the best shooters in the state but I think that it is possible his percentage goes down just because he is going to be taking so many shots this year. Would not surprise me if he made it onto the list though.