Running 2010 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament thread

I have a feeling free throws are mastered at a much younger age than 18 or 19.

It's not about physically making the shot. It's about mentally making the shot and not overthinking when you are doing on the line.

 

Anyone knows free throws are all about practice. It's not mental. Maybe when there's no time left and the game is tied in double over time nerves can get in the way. But free throws are about practicing. The more you practice the better you get. I bet coach Cal's team just doesn't spend a ton of time working on free throws.

 

I'm sorry, but when you see 85 percent free throw shooters bang one off the front of the rim at the end of a tied game or a game his team is up one -- that IS mental.

There is a very big part of free throw shooting that is mental.

Yes, muscle memory and practice are important elements, but there are some guys who shoot 500 free throws a day in practice and can't make them in games.

 

So why do they make more in practice than they do in the game?

I think nerves have a lot to do with it.

 

I agree with the nerves assessment. This is anecdotal, obviously, but my junior and senior seasons I was a 40-45% shooter from three, but was never above 60% at the foul line. And it's not uncommon to see someone, like Scotty Hopson, who normally has a very fluid motion and is a good shooter struggle from the foul line.

 

"Adults"?

Yes, because only the immature are soooo naive that they care about NCAA rules, right?

 

So Piotr, Cal has never had a team in the Final Four in your opinion?

 

I have to side with Zag and 93 on this one – free throws in big games and in big moments in games are more about mental ability than anything else.
Mental toughness, focus – etc.

And I also agree with someone who posted earlier about this – Armchair I think.
Foul shots being more of an issue these days does have a lot to do with the lack of instruction at an early age.

When John Calipari signs a class to Kentucky and gets his group ready to roll in the SEC every year – he's got bigger things to worry about than spending an hour a day working on each kid's foul shooting techniques.
If you're in Algebra II – you should already understand Algebra I.

 

Saying that he had two teams reach the Final Four is only telling half the story.

Those teams made it, but they cheated as well. According to the NCAA, their programs and arenas are not allowed to recognize the accomplishment with media guide listings or banners.

How can anyone say that doesn't diminish the accomplishment?

 

Maybe it diminishes the achievement but it does not mean it didn't happen.

 

Erasing from the record book is a small slap on the wrist.

Teddy Sports Bar could care less.

 

I define an adult as someone who does not deny an objective reality just because some group of authority figures chose to do so.