10 of 22???

[LETSGORU91]

Putrid free throw shooting. Winnable game never got close because of missed shots from the charity stripe.

Outside of that, Pikell has them going in the right direction. I am encouraged by what I see and the difference in the scores versus last year. Time for a psychologist/hypnotist to get them to hit the free throws.

 

[njcanesfan]

and "and 1's". Pretty much every run was ended by a Minny "and 1".

 

[richthedentist]

That does't even include the front ends of one and ones so that number is even worse. If this team could just shoot 70% from the free throw line we would have won at least 4 more games. Just pathetic that you can shoot so bad from the free throw line. I bet 9 out of 10 high school teams shoot better than us at the free throw line

 

[RedChucken123]

I definitely believe half of it has got to be mental. With something like free throws, it always is.

The other half has got to be form. Whether it's NBA or college, I like to predict whether the FT looks good or not and we have some bad and/or atypical form. One, a lot of FT shooters have a staggered stance where one lead foot is lined up with the basket. Corey stands both feet almost even with the line. Laurent has his arms raised too long before he releases. Freeman, I don't remember analyzing today, but I remember his shot a little flat. CJ looked good today. He was 4-6 from the line. I like that after looking at the basket, he is quick from his waist to his release. He doesn't overthink it and just lets muscle memory do the work.

 

[RU MAN]

I've counted at least 4 winnable games we lost due to lousy FT shooting. Pikiell knows it's a problem, but when a team as a whole can't shoot the coach and staff can only do so much. This coach and staff are too good to not get in each and every one of the players' faces.

It's more than muscle memory. It's good technique followed by follow through and then practicing so much you're sick and tired of doing it, and then you practice some more.

 

[RU MAN]

To add, I wouldn't be surprised to learn that the team spent an entire practice shooting FT's and nothing but FT's.

 

[Rutgers25]

If you didn't grow up shooting with the right form it's very difficult to undo the flaws. Laurents entire palm is on the basketball when he shoots. It's unbelievable. He was never taught and never bothered to figure out how to shoot correctly.

 

[rubaseball78]

If you didn't grow up shooting with the right form it's very difficult to undo the flaws. Laurents entire palm is on the basketball when he shoots. It's unbelievable. He was never taught and never bothered to figure out how to shoot correctly.

I saw that too today. Ball has to be in your fingertips, not the palm of your hand.

 

[knights1212]

This is the third BIG game that we have shot free throws under 50%. That is a disgrace. It is like a disease that is spreading throughout the team. I believe it is 100% mental. At one point in the Depaul game we were 22 of 23. This is the same team. We need some type of shrink to work with our team. Our guards even keep missing. Corey was 2-6 and I think he was 2-5 against Ohio State.

 

[80RU]

If you didn't grow up shooting with the right form it's very difficult to undo the flaws. Laurents entire palm is on the basketball when he shoots. It's unbelievable. He was never taught and never bothered to figure out how to shoot correctly.

He was one four today, but he has been the best foul shooter on the team this year.

 

[winfield102]

Insane numbers. It basically requires that we play PERFECT in other areas. Can't have any lazy or low percentage passes (Freeman 2 into the low post), illegal screens and poor shots (Sanders going 0-4 on pull up jumpers).

 

[MCKnight2004]

Alabama shot 9-26 today's game vs Kentucky, and UK shot 10-18.... lot of putrid shooting numbers. Never our opponent though

 

[RUonBrain]

This is the third BIG game that we have shot free throws under 50%. That is a disgrace. It is like a disease that is spreading throughout the team. I believe it is 100% mental. At one point in the Depaul game we were 22 of 23. This is the same team. We need some type of shrink to work with our team. Our guards even keep missing. Corey was 2-6 and I think he was 2-5 against Ohio State.

I remember some of those early season games where we shot free throws like we were possessed by JJ Reddick.

I said to myself, "Who the hell are these guys, how did they learn to shoot FTs!?"

Too bad that didn't last all season.

 

[zebnatto]

Would we have won with better freethrow shooting? Don't know. But if we shoot 16/22 (just under 75%) the final five minutes of the game are played completely differently.

 

[RUBand]

To add, I wouldn't be surprised to learn that the team spent an entire practice shooting FT's and nothing but FT's.

I did hear announcers say RU was dedicating 25 min of practice to shooting foul shooting, with incentives/pressure. The coaching staff does have basketball experience (as players), they understand shooting technique. There is only so much one can do.

 

[scarletKNIGHT07]

Shaquille O'Neal was a career 52% foul shooter...

 

[rudad02]

Underhanded, Underhanded, Underhanded! It would improve our foul shooting exponentially. You guys can do your muscle memory routine all you want. I wonder how many posters have shot FT"s Underhanded or even seen them shot that way. I have done both. Empirical evidence abounds on the benefit of this type of shot. It would especially benefit Doorson, Dialo, & Sa none of whom have any touch whatsoever overhanded.

People say it would be a joke subject to ridicule. I say put them in underhanded & the joke's over. Other than that, keep doing what your doing & be a laughing stock & embarrassment to yourselves & your team.

 

[Pritz99]

Don't know much about underhanded, but I di know that Rick Barry had phenominal #s and Wilt was at his best when shooting underhanded. If they're worried about "being cool" just imagine the publicity and face time they'll get if they hit 70%? It'll be all over "Outside the Lines" and Sportscenter.

 

[Knightmoves]

Were Quincy Douby and Todd Billet the last guys we had that were real shooters ?

 

[RUPartisan]

This is maddening especially at home when there is no crowd noise when our players are shooting. As another poster pointed out we should have won 3-4 additional games this year with better FT shooting.

I am sure a know it all poster will chime in and give a long winded reason why we lose, Pikiell inherited no talent, we just arent good enough yet, this is full rebuild, blah blah blah.

 

[RUTGERZ_R00LZ]

To add, I wouldn't be surprised to learn that the team spent an entire practice shooting FT's and nothing but FT's.

You can practice 100 FTs (or 500) but keep in mind the FTs in a game come because the player was fouled. It's not the same to calmly step to the line in practice and put up FT after FT. A better method is to take 2 FTs and then run around (do some suicides) and then back to the foul line. Rinse and repeat. Time after time. Be a sweaty mess and breathing hard when you take your practice FTs, just like in a game.

 

[PiscatawayMike]

Were Quincy Douby and Todd Billet the last guys we had that were real shooters ?

Myles Mack was a stellar shooter as a sophomore... 48% FG; 46% 3-pt; 88% FT.

 

[higgins3]

If you didn't grow up shooting with the right form it's very difficult to undo the flaws. Laurents entire palm is on the basketball when he shoots. It's unbelievable. He was never taught and never bothered to figure out how to shoot correctly.

Some of the best scorers in the NBA had very weird shooting forms.

 

[RUChoppin]

He was one four today, but he has been the best foul shooter on the team this year.

Not really a great stat, since he had only taken 20 FTs the entire season up until today, and had only taken 2 since conference play started. After his 1-4 performance today, he's now down to 66.7%.

Right now, Mike Williams is the best FT shooter on the team, with a season average of 72.6% over 98 attempts. After that is Nigel Johnson at 68.7% over 83 attempts.

Coming out of today, overall season averages for players who have taken at least 10 attempts (attempts in parentheses):
72.6% - Williams (98)
68.7% - Johnson (83)
67.9% - Gettys (56)
67.9% - Omoryui (28)
66.7% - Laurent (24)
61.5% - Sanders (104)
59.2% - Freeman (120)
41.5% - Sa (41)
27.3% - Doorson (11)

Really is amazing that we don't have a single guy on the team who can hit even 75%, and only one who can hit better than 70%.

 

[80RU]

Not really a great stat, since he had only taken 20 FTs the entire season up until today, and had only taken 2 since conference play started. After his 1-4 performance today, he's now down to 66.7%.

Right now, Mike Williams is the best FT shooter on the team, with a season average of 72.6% over 98 attempts. After that is Nigel Johnson at 68.7% over 83 attempts.

Coming out of today, overall season averages for players who have taken at least 10 attempts (attempts in parentheses):
72.6% - Williams (98)
68.7% - Johnson (83)
67.9% - Gettys (56)
67.9% - Omoryui (28)
66.7% - Laurent (24)
61.5% - Sanders (104)
59.2% - Freeman (120)
41.5% - Sa (41)
27.3% - Doorson (11)

Really is amazing that we don't have a single guy on the team who can hit even 75%, and only one who can hit better than 70%.

Last year Laurent was 40 or 52 in conference play for 77%. In all games for his career he is at 74%. He has not gotten any playing time to speak of – – sometimes a small percentage from a very small sample is just an artifact. Other than Williams, there was no one that you would rather see on the line.

 

[RU MAN]

You can practice 100 FTs (or 500) but keep in mind the FTs in a game come because the player was fouled. It's not the same to calmly step to the line in practice and put up FT after FT. A better method is to take 2 FTs and then run around (do some suicides) and then back to the foul line. Rinse and repeat. Time after time. Be a sweaty mess and breathing hard when you take your practice FTs, just like in a game.

I totally agree. That's why in previous threads throughout the week, I believe Pikiell and staff have to play simulated games or do wind sprints and then have the kids shoot FT's. It's the only way to at least mimic a real game situation.

 

[RU MAN]

I did hear announcers say RU was dedicating 25 min of practice to shooting foul shooting, with incentives/pressure. The coaching staff does have basketball experience (as players), they understand shooting technique. There is only so much one can do.

Oh I agree with what you stated. A lot of this has to be done by the players on their own time as well as in the off season coming up. FT shooting is technique, concentration and muscle memory. Our kids lack the latter two. Future RU teams need to shoot 68-72% on a consistent basis if we're to win close games.

 

[RUChoppin]

Last year Laurent was 40 or 52 in conference play for 77%. In all games for his career he is at 74%. He has not gotten any playing time to speak of – – sometimes a small percentage from a very small sample is just an artifact. Other than Williams, there was no one that you would rather see on the line.

True, and he was 73% overall last year (went 14/22 out of conference, 63.6%, so he had his ups and downs). He'd also only shot 2 FTs since Christmas coming into today... and only 6 since November. Not the guy I'd want to suddenly send to the line to shoot technical FTs, given a choice. Agree that he's the second best FT shooter on the team right now, but that's really not saying much.

 

[Russ Wood]

I bet 9 out of 10 high school teams shoot better than us at the free throw line

Much, much closer to 5 out of 10. Bad college FT shooters were bad HS FT shooters AND they were one of the best player on their team, if not the best.

HS FT shooting is generally pretty bad, in my observations. Plus you have to remember that there are many HS teams whose best player might be a D3 level Center.

 

[TDIrish27]

Florida State worse yesterday------and that's a projected 2 seed in tournament.

 

[Hamilton's Cannon]

To play the style we want to play - tough defense, keep the game close, win it in the end - you have to shoot decent FTs. And all our guards need to make 75% as a minimum! Another thing is we need finish more on plays where we are fouled. Otherwise it ends up an empty possession with this sort of FT shooting.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

In my opinion the best thing Pikiell can do is not spend 1 minute this week practicing or mentioning free throws. It has become psychological.

 

[shields]

Florida State was like 5 for 17.

 

[RJM_Go_RU]

This was about the fourth B1G game that with better free throw-shooting (e.g., around 70%) the team had very realistic chance to win. But, on the bright side, that's about 4 more B1G games than last year we had realistic chance of winning. Last year, we suffered blow-out losses of such magnitude that no matter how much bettter we shot free-throws, we were going to lose. Keep plugging away team and the Ws will come.
I don't know what is the best approach for improving the free-throws...

 

[wheezer]

our biggest win in the past couple of years was the Wisconsin home game.... in that game RU
hit free throw after free throw at the end, to protect the lead... that game was a bit different
because we had a lead, and the intentional fouling by Wisconsin did not work..... we could use a return to that for sure....

 

[greenknight]

FT's FT's FT's. They are working hard, playing hard and bringing it with efort to get the crowd into it and then they lose 90% of all they achieved thru their hard work and determination with their foul shooting

They do get the crowd up to a frenzy which quickly comes down the second they throw up the 1st brick. Pike needs to stress the importance of making the FT's and concentrating on the FT's which I'm sure he does....it is so much more than making them...it is bringing down the crowds enthusiasm a great deal and losing that home court advantage

Freeman and Saunders have terrible form get the ball out of your palms there is no touch or consistency to be found there it's all in the finger tips

 

[LotusAggressor]

If you didn't grow up shooting with the right form it's very difficult to undo the flaws. Laurents entire palm is on the basketball when he shoots. It's unbelievable. He was never taught and never bothered to figure out how to shoot correctly.

You would think that he would have learned that before he got to college. At very least, that's the first thing that the RU coaches should have corrected. I learned that in 7th grade.

 

[LotusAggressor]

Underhanded, Underhanded, Underhanded! It would improve our foul shooting exponentially. You guys can do your muscle memory routine all you want. I wonder how many posters have shot FT"s Underhanded or even seen them shot that way. I have done both. Empirical evidence abounds on the benefit of this type of shot. It would especially benefit Doorson, Dialo, & Sa none of whom have any touch whatsoever overhanded.

People say it would be a joke subject to ridicule. I say put them in underhanded & the joke's over. Other than that, keep doing what your doing & be a laughing stock & embarrassment to yourselves & your team.

Canyon Barry (Rick Barry's son) is shooting 90% from the line. It's mystifying why more bad free throw shooters don't try the underhand method. Rick Barry would be more than willing to teach it, I'll bet. While he's at it, maybe he could teach these guys how to shoot better from the perimeter.

 

[waretown]

Putrid free throw shooting. Winnable game never got close because of missed shots from the charity stripe.

Outside of that, Pikell has them going in the right direction. I am encouraged by what I see and the difference in the scores versus last year. Time for a psychologist/hypnotist to get them to hit the free throws.

02
lower than grammar school players

 

[rudad02]

Canyon Barry (Rick Barry's son) is shooting 90% from the line. It's mystifying why more bad free throw shooters don't try the underhand method. Rick Barry would be more than willing to teach it, I'll bet. While he's at it, maybe he could teach these guys how to shoot better from the perimeter.

I wouldn't bet against Barry coming to teach it. I know he has voluntered to teach it. I know he is passionate about the subject & can't understand why more players don't adopt it.