MUScoop

MUScoop => Hangin' at the Al => Topic started by: Tugg Speedman on September 17, 2009, 08:11:24 PM

Title: Buzz Spoke In Chicago Today (September 17)
Post by: Tugg Speedman on September 17, 2009, 08:11:24 PM
Steve Cottingham (AD), Buzz and Terri Mitchell (women’s b-ball coach) all spoke today in Chicago (September 17) at the Marquette Club of Chicago Coaches Luncheon.  It was at the Union League Club and I'm guessing 300 to 400 were in attendance.  What follows are my notes from memory in no particular order.  It's been a long day and I’m tired so forgive me upfront if my notes are poorly written.  Others in attendance might have had different impressions.


First up was Cottingham.  He talked about the state of the athletic programs other than basketball, the Big East and MU in general.  Here is my take-away ….

MU’s incoming freshman class is 1,800 from nearly 18,000 applications.  It is the most competitive class in history, breaking the record of last year, which broke the record from the year before.  He did not define “competitive” but I took it to mean average GPA, ACT/SAT scores.

Women’s volleyball is doing very well.  They are 9 and 2 and ranked.  Men’s cross country is hosting the Big East conference invite in Kenosha on October 31.  Last year’s overall NCAA winner from Providence will be running.

The state of the Big East is fine.

Men’s b-ball season ticket sales are at a new record.  He did not give a number other than to say “many thousands” and said for the first time in history the $99 season ticket package was sold out.  (What is this package?)

Buzz spoke next.  As usual Buzz was very direct.

Up front he apologized.  He said that the team has been terrible in practice.  He held a 6:30 AM practice today in it last 12 minutes before he kicked everyone out in disgust.  He spoke ahead of Terri Mitchell instead of going last so he could get back for a 2:30 practice.  He hoped it would last longer than 12 minutes.

Buzz related the story of his 4 month old daughter and how his wife is helping her sit up and roll over.  He said her development is further along than his team.

The reason they are having poor practices because the players are overwhelmed with college, basketball and their new social life.  Buzz said they all mean well and are trying to get better but right now it is ugly.

He then said that he has been on the road recruiting as the recruiting window opened on September 9.  He got back Monday night and while he could not talk about it, he said that MU is now in places it has never been before.  Buzz said that November 16 is the first day to sign LOI and seem to IMPLY that this would be “a big day for MU.”  No further details.

He then talked about individual players.  

DJO is not a “1” but a solid “2.”  He is in a walking boot and will be for another month or so.  He partially tore his Achilles in his right foot.  He said that DJO has never been injured before and is not taking it well.  Buzz was clear that he believed this is not a season ending injury.  He would be ready physically for the first game in November but the loss of practice time now will set back his development.

Dwight Bykes is Raw but Buzz believes will be a really good player.  He can play the 1. He gushed about him.

Junior is another player than he gushed about.  Compared his game to Pitt’s Fields and said he lost weight.  He said he will be a really special player in a few years.

Jeromme Maymon is a “17 ½ year old Ron Artest.”  I hope he meant his game and not his attitude!  (I think he did).  He said the most important number Maymom needs to learn is “84”  as in the court is 84 feet long and he needs to learn to play the entire court.  After that Jeromme needs to learn “50” as in the court is 50 feet wide and he needs to play from side to side.  This was Buzz’s way to say Jeromme can no longer be a scoring machine and must learn to play D.

He said that Joe Fulce has bounced back well from surgery and expects him to be the Fulce of the Providence comeback of last year.

Butler was another player he talked a bit about as well.  He expects big things from him.

You is a player with great skills.  He’s a bit lost as English is his second language and David Culliban serves as his translator.

In the Q&A he explained why they do not practice free throws.  He said free throw shooting is a toughness issue not a mechanical issue.  He said if you look up the best free throw shooters on a team, they are usually the toughest players.

I’m too tired to continue.  More later.
Title: Re: Buzz Spoke In Chicago Today (September 17)
Post by: Tugg Speedman on September 17, 2009, 08:13:30 PM
One more thing ... when talking about recruiting he has very clear that he considers character very important in the recruiting process.  I could help but to think he was talking directly about Clark although he did not say his name.  He left me with the impression that Clark is no longer a MU recruit (again this is my interpretation of Buzz's words)

Title: Re: Buzz Spoke In Chicago Today (September 17)
Post by: g0lden3agle on September 17, 2009, 08:17:21 PM
So DJO is having Achilles surgery... hopefully it goes as well as expected
Title: Re: Buzz Spoke In Chicago Today (September 17)
Post by: Tugg Speedman on September 17, 2009, 08:18:33 PM
So DJO is having Achilles surgery... hopefully it goes as well as expected

No, he said he would wear a boot for a month and that should be enough.  Achilles surgery takes a year to recover from.
Title: Re: Buzz Spoke In Chicago Today (September 17)
Post by: Blackhat on September 17, 2009, 08:23:42 PM
Thanks for the update 84.   
Title: Re: Buzz Spoke In Chicago Today (September 17)
Post by: g0lden3agle on September 17, 2009, 08:24:54 PM
My bad, I was combining these known points with a rumor from a friend.
Title: Re: Buzz Spoke In Chicago Today (September 17)
Post by: groove on September 17, 2009, 09:33:18 PM
Not good news about DJO. Even though it's not a complete tear and he didn't have surgery, from what I've read with that kind of injury you could have a boot on for 4-6 weeks before even being able to work out. And then because they opted not to have surgery, there is an increased change of reinjury or complete rupture. But I'm not a doctor though I stayed at a holiday inn once.
Title: Re: Buzz Spoke In Chicago Today (September 17)
Post by: Daniel on September 17, 2009, 09:37:30 PM
So DJO is having Achilles surgery... hopefully it goes as well as expected

Where did you hear that he is getting Achilles tendon surgery?  Buzz never mentioned the Achilles tendon.  If he is having Achilles tendon surgery, that is a serious deal.  I had it, and it took me months and months to fully recover, and acutally it still bothers me 25 years later.

I hope this is not the case.  Buzz talked about a tendown on the side of the foot (on each sid eof the ankle).
Title: Re: Buzz Spoke In Chicago Today (September 17)
Post by: g0lden3agle on September 17, 2009, 09:42:05 PM
A very close friend witnessed a player talking with other players tonight, and surgery was specifically mentioned, as if it was a very recent development.
Title: Re: Buzz Spoke In Chicago Today (September 17)
Post by: GGGG on September 17, 2009, 11:23:03 PM
Thanks Another...but you should know it's Jeronne...not Jeromme.

And it is pronounced Jer-ON.
Title: Re: Buzz Spoke In Chicago Today (September 17)
Post by: 4everwarriors on September 17, 2009, 11:49:25 PM
I thought a basketball court is 94 feet long.
Title: Re: Buzz Spoke In Chicago Today (September 17)
Post by: HoopsMalone on September 18, 2009, 12:45:10 AM

In the Q&A he explained why they do not practice free throws.  He said free throw shooting is a toughness issue not a mechanical issue.  He said if you look up the best free throw shooters on a team, they are usually the toughest players.


Does not speak well of Dominic James' toughness then.
Title: Re: Buzz Spoke In Chicago Today (September 17)
Post by: ChicosBailBonds on September 18, 2009, 12:58:39 AM

In the Q&A he explained why they do not practice free throws.  He said free throw shooting is a toughness issue not a mechanical issue.  He said if you look up the best free throw shooters on a team, they are usually the toughest players.

That's an interesting perception.  I would agree with him that the person that takes the most free throws is the toughest player, not sure I would agree that they are the best free throw shooters. 
Title: Re: Buzz Spoke In Chicago Today (September 17)
Post by: Tugg Speedman on September 18, 2009, 06:11:40 AM
Where did you hear that he is getting Achilles tendon surgery?  Buzz never mentioned the Achilles tendon.  If he is having Achilles tendon surgery, that is a serious deal.  I had it, and it took me months and months to fully recover, and acutally it still bothers me 25 years later.

I hope this is not the case.  Buzz talked about a tendown on the side of the foot (on each sid eof the ankle).

You are correct.  Buzz did NOT mention the achilles but the tendons down the side of the foot.  That was my tired mind confusing things.

Anyway, from Buzz's comments I was left witht he impression that surgery is not an option.  I also talked to Cottingham about it personally and he said that surgery was not being considered.


Those that are saying he will have surgery are making things up.
Title: Re: Buzz Spoke In Chicago Today (September 17)
Post by: Tugg Speedman on September 18, 2009, 06:26:00 AM
That's an interesting perception.  I would agree with him that the person that takes the most free throws is the toughest player, not sure I would agree that they are the best free throw shooters. 

Buzz also said that no coach he worked under ever practiced free throws.  Not sure if Crean was included in that mix. 

He also said it in such a way that it is commonplace for teams not to practice free throws.

He said that free throw shooting is 100% mental and practicing the mechanics does not help the mental aspect since their is no way to recreate game situations in practice so don't bother.
Title: Re: Buzz Spoke In Chicago Today (September 17)
Post by: MR.HAYWARD on September 18, 2009, 07:24:52 AM
Buzz also said that no coach he worked under ever practiced free throws.  Not sure if Crean was included in that mix. 

He also said it in such a way that it is commonplace for teams not to practice free throws.

He said that free throw shooting is 100% mental and practicing the mechanics does not help the mental aspect since their is no way to recreate game situations in practice so don't bother.


why even answer the clown...has he ever been to a basketball practice of any level?...the only time i have ever seen free throws parctced is at about the third grade level....never seen them parcticed dring the course of an AAU, HS, or collge level practice....also considering the source = Buzz does not practice free hrows must be bad.....Crean does not parctice free threows= revolutionary more evidence as to why he is such a great coach
Title: Re: Buzz Spoke In Chicago Today (September 17)
Post by: Murffieus on September 18, 2009, 08:13:58 AM
Does not speak well of Dominic James' toughness then.

Buzz is off base on this-----FT shooting has mechanical applications that can be improved upon with proper
form instruction & reps-----toughness is part of it too especially in crucial situations were a FT plays heavily on a games outcome-----confidence is another part of it, but confidence only comes after successful experience in a particular skill.

Not to practice FTs is like not practicing any other BB skill------one might be able to maintain expertise by not practicing a skill-----but not likely to improve and the possibility of regression is high (DJ).
Title: Re: Buzz Spoke In Chicago Today (September 17)
Post by: damuts222 on September 18, 2009, 09:07:16 AM
I think the case of DJ should have been addressed, but if a player feels that he needs work on his free throws who is anyone to stop him from practicing them aside from practice.

I vaguely remember a story about Steve Novak shooting in the gym all night long after a bad shooting game. Players that take their performance to heart will practice their ft's if need be. Are people expecting them to play knockout or something..
Title: Re: Buzz Spoke In Chicago Today (September 17)
Post by: cheebs09 on September 18, 2009, 09:35:23 AM
I remember reading that DJ practiced his free throws a ton on the side, even one night after a bad ft shooting game, practicing at the Bradley Center for awhile. So I don't think he didn't put in the work, he just wasn't able to convert it to the games.
Title: Re: Buzz Spoke In Chicago Today (September 17)
Post by: Ready2Fly on September 18, 2009, 09:40:09 AM
Murf - you know he doesn't mean free throws shouldn't be practiced.  He said it several times last year, he wants the players to practice them ON THEIR OWN TIME.  The reason?  The NCAA has rules about how much time a coach can be with his team in the gym.  He doesn't want to waste any of that time watching the team stand around shooting FT's.  He wants to work on things like the offense, help defense, etc.  You know - things a coach actually needs to be there for.  He stated that he expects them to work on FT's on their own time.  If they're not, they're doing themselves and the team a disservice.

You know this, yet you choose to ignore it and rant anyway.
Title: Re: Buzz Spoke In Chicago Today (September 17)
Post by: damuts222 on September 18, 2009, 09:43:02 AM
Quote
I remember reading that DJ practiced his free throws a ton on the side, even one night after a bad ft shooting game, practicing at the Bradley Center for awhile. So I don't think he didn't put in the work, he just wasn't able to convert it to the games.


I stand corrected cheebs you are right, I think they just questioned DJ's release which I hear Novak has practiced w/DJ on his release this offseason
Title: Re: Buzz Spoke In Chicago Today (September 17)
Post by: martyconlonontherun on September 18, 2009, 11:52:01 AM
Murf - you know he doesn't mean free throws shouldn't be practiced.  He said it several times last year, he wants the players to practice them ON THEIR OWN TIME.  The reason?  The NCAA has rules about how much time a coach can be with his team in the gym.  He doesn't want to waste any of that time watching the team stand around shooting FT's.  He wants to work on things like the offense, help defense, etc.  You know - things a coach actually needs to be there for.  He stated that he expects them to work on FT's on their own time.  If they're not, they're doing themselves and the team a disservice.

You know this, yet you choose to ignore it and rant anyway.

I think this is closest to the truth. I known managers on the team that always said the No-FT strategy is ps and he has players shooting all time. Whether it is actually in practice is another story, but he definitely has his players practice free throws.
Title: Re: Buzz Spoke In Chicago Today (September 17)
Post by: ChicosBailBonds on September 18, 2009, 12:03:33 PM
Buzz also said that no coach he worked under ever practiced free throws.  Not sure if Crean was included in that mix. 

He also said it in such a way that it is commonplace for teams not to practice free throws.

He said that free throw shooting is 100% mental and practicing the mechanics does not help the mental aspect since their is no way to recreate game situations in practice so don't bother.

I guess Buzz never worked for Coach K, Bob Knight, John Wooden, etc. 
Title: Re: Buzz Spoke In Chicago Today (September 17)
Post by: ChicosBailBonds on September 18, 2009, 12:04:49 PM
Murf - you know he doesn't mean free throws shouldn't be practiced.  He said it several times last year, he wants the players to practice them ON THEIR OWN TIME.  The reason?  The NCAA has rules about how much time a coach can be with his team in the gym.  He doesn't want to waste any of that time watching the team stand around shooting FT's.  He wants to work on things like the offense, help defense, etc.  You know - things a coach actually needs to be there for.  He stated that he expects them to work on FT's on their own time.  If they're not, they're doing themselves and the team a disservice.

You know this, yet you choose to ignore it and rant anyway.

I get why Buzz does it, makes sense with the limited amount of time dedicated to practices.  But it does seem interesting to me that some of the top programs in the country, with the SAME limited practice times, still use it as a point of emphasis and practice it

Title: Re: Buzz Spoke In Chicago Today (September 17)
Post by: Tugg Speedman on September 18, 2009, 12:30:13 PM
I guess Buzz never worked for Coach K, Bob Knight, John Wooden, etc. 

Did these programs have a higher FT% than the rest of the country?
Title: Re: Buzz Spoke In Chicago Today (September 17)
Post by: Pakuni on September 18, 2009, 01:29:48 PM
MU hit 72.8 percent of its free throws last year.
Better than 2007-08 (70.6), 2006-07 (66.9) and 2004-5 (71.0). It was just a tad behind 2005-6 (73.2), a year when Novak nailed 98 percent from the line.

Nationally, MU's 72.8 ranked them 55th out of 330 programs. Guess who also shot 72.8 percent?
Duke, which apparently does shoot free throws as part of formal practice time.

It seems to me the lack of formal free throw practice isn't making much of a difference.
Title: Re: Buzz Spoke In Chicago Today (September 17)
Post by: Daniel on September 18, 2009, 02:02:17 PM
MU hit 72.8 percent of its free throws last year.
Better than 2007-08 (70.6), 2006-07 (66.9) and 2004-5 (71.0). It was just a tad behind 2005-6 (73.2), a year when Novak nailed 98 percent from the line.

Nationally, MU's 72.8 ranked them 55th out of 330 programs. Guess who also shot 72.8 percent?
Duke, which apparently does shoot free throws as part of formal practice time.

It seems to me the lack of formal free throw practice isn't making much of a difference.

There are a zillion ways to look at it.  E.G., If we achieved 72. 8% w/o the practice and Duke did[ with the practice, one might argue, imagine if we practiced!  For me, I think Buzz is right to demand that they practice on their own.
Title: Re: Buzz Spoke In Chicago Today (September 17)
Post by: ChicosBailBonds on September 18, 2009, 06:36:35 PM
Did these programs have a higher FT% than the rest of the country?

Duke shot 72.8%, but I do know they are 3 of the coaches that go on the Mount Rushmore of coaching and they believe free throw shooting is important enough to be part of their practice routine.

I totally get where Buzz is coming from.  At the same time, sometimes when you send messages to players like "do it on your own", then maybe players view it as not as important.  Pakuni brings up a good point about free throw percentage of MU last year vs years prior, of course we don't know if Crean practiced free throws either....according to Buzz, he didn't (said he never worked for a coach that had free throws practiced).  If that's the case, the control group that Pakuni is using is not proper.

The other way to look at it is what would we have shot if we did practice?  Would it be better?  One would think so.  I mean, why practice putting by professional golfers, they all know how to putt.  Why practice chipping.  Or from a basketball perspective, why practice dunks or layups....at this level, aren't those converted at 99%? 

So we'll never know.  We won't know if Duke didn't practice free throws if they would be worse than 72.8%.  We don't know if MU practiced free throws if they would be better than 72.8%.  So Pakuni's numbers comparing against each other is a stretch because there is no control group to compare to.


I just use common sense on this one.  Free throw points account for about 24.4% of your total offensive output per game at MU.  Nearly 1 in every 4 points is attributable to a free throw. In the last 3 minutes of a game, the percentage goes up to 62% of your points scored are at the free throw line. When that many points are tied to one function, seems like practicing them and making them an emphasis would be smart.  Coach K, Wooden and Knight thought so. 

Don't get me wrong, MOST coaches do not emphasize free throws at the college level so Buzz is no different.  I'm just old school and like how Wooden, Knight and K do it.


Here's an article you might enjoy Pakuni   

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/04/sports/basketball/04freethrow.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1

It argues that nothing has changed in 50 years in free throws.  Of course, it also talks about how most coaches don't spend a lick of time practicing it which is probably why it hasn't improved.
Title: Re: Buzz Spoke In Chicago Today (September 17)
Post by: Tugg Speedman on September 19, 2009, 07:45:23 AM
Good article Chicos

By my reading this article supports Buzz view that practicing FT's is a waste of time.

The article says their has been no improvement in FT% in the last 50 years.  It stays pretty much the same league wide every year.  Most coaches do not practice it.  Statisticians cannot find evidence that those coaches that do practice it consistently do better than those that do not.  So, why bother?
Title: Re: Buzz Spoke In Chicago Today (September 17)
Post by: ChicosBailBonds on September 19, 2009, 10:48:01 AM
Good article Chicos

By my reading this article supports Buzz view that practicing FT's is a waste of time.

The article says their has been no improvement in FT% in the last 50 years.  It stays pretty much the same league wide every year.  Most coaches do not practice it.  Statisticians cannot find evidence that those coaches that do practice it consistently do better than those that do not.  So, why bother?

I think the article supports both positions to some extent.  The coach from Southern Utah forces his guys to practice and feels it pays off.  In this day and age when players are all about dunks and high flyers, seems much of the fundamentals (like shooting a free throw) are not as important to them.  I'm old school I guess....teach the fundamentals.
Title: Re: Buzz Spoke In Chicago Today (September 17)
Post by: 77ncaachamps on September 19, 2009, 12:55:38 PM
I know in my heart of hearts it's mechanics, mechanics, mechanics.

But has anyone played 40 minutes of basketball and tried to hit a free throw? No matter how good the mechanics, it's still tough.

But the mechanics is what the player can lean on during those tough times...and it (as well as) practice builds the confidence to hit that FT.

I'd like to equate shooting free throws with practicing handwriting in school in the sense that you only have so much time of the day with the student and spending 10 minutes with each child to practice something some of them probably didn't practice before is kind of a waste of time.
Title: Re: Buzz Spoke In Chicago Today (September 17)
Post by: Daniel on September 19, 2009, 04:20:16 PM
In general, as with most things in life, experience and practice makes a big diffference.  But I think Buzz is right to demand they practice FTs on their own.
Title: Re: Buzz Spoke In Chicago Today (September 17)
Post by: Tugg Speedman on September 19, 2009, 08:00:32 PM
In 2007 Gilbert Arenas' made a $20,000 bet with teammate DeShawn Stevenson:

Arenas said that he could make a higher percentage of one handed college three pointers than Stevenson could make of NBA three pointers shot with both hands. Arenas shot 73/100, while Stevenson made 68/96 shots (he quit when he could not catch Arenas).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bn6O42a5vl8

In 2007 Stevenson was 27th in the NBA in 3-Point % at 38.3%.
Gilbert Arenas was not even in the top 50 with a 28.2% rate.

Care to guess how many the 26 ahead of Stevenson hit in practice?

Remind me again why practicing these things helps?

For the idea of "mechanics, mechanics, mechanics,"  these are not 10 year kids.  These are elite athletes.  They know how to make free throws and could all probably hit 50 in a row in practice (Shaq often did).  Game situations are nothing like practice.  Ask Shaq.

Buzz is correct to drill offensive and defensive sets in practice.  If he has a top 100 kid that needs special practice with a coach on the mechanics of FT shooting, I have news for you, that is not a top 100 kid!



Title: Re: Buzz Spoke In Chicago Today (September 17)
Post by: Jay Bee on September 19, 2009, 08:25:23 PM
Remind me again why practicing these things helps?

For the idea of "mechanics, mechanics, mechanics,"  these are not 10 year kids.  These are elite athletes.  They know how to make free throws and could all probably hit 50 in a row in practice (Shaq often did).  

  Sounds cute, but this is an absolute lie.  Shaq did not often make 50 free throws in a row... in fact, not many have.  You're lying and out of your mind.
Title: Re: Buzz Spoke In Chicago Today (September 17)
Post by: Tugg Speedman on September 19, 2009, 09:08:54 PM
"He says O'Neal shoots 300 to 500 free throws a day in practice and makes 84-87% of them. He says Shaq can even make 50% of them blindfolded."

http://www.freethrowmaster.com/news

I remember Phil Jackson saying the 50 in a row number years ago.  Looking at these numbers, it should not be that surprising.

---

and reagarding the idea that "not many have", try this quote ...

http://www.slate.com/id/105348/

Shaq makes free throws in practice. Why can't he make them in games? Everyone shoots a higher percentage in practice: Karl Malone, a career 76-percent free-throw shooter, doesn't end his warm-up until he sinks 30 in a row. Yet in 16 seasons Malone has never sunk 30 straight in league competition.


Let me underscore that Malone makes 30 straight EVERYDAY!  Not just once in his life.
---

Fact of the matter is most players in the NBA can make 50 straight in practice.  See the video above, Arenas hit 73 of 100 threes with ONE HAND and is not even in the top 50 in Three %.

This is why the mechanics and practice comments make no sense.  These are not 10 year olds so stop offering the solutions for a 10 year old to elite athletes.

Title: Re: Buzz Spoke In Chicago Today (September 17)
Post by: Jay Bee on September 19, 2009, 10:29:40 PM
Fact of the matter is most players in the NBA can make 50 straight in practice.

  No, that is not fact.  You are lying and delusional.  The fact of the matter is that you are wrong.
Title: Re: Buzz Spoke In Chicago Today (September 17)
Post by: Tugg Speedman on September 20, 2009, 06:48:50 AM
  No, that is not fact.  You are lying and delusional.  The fact of the matter is that you are wrong.

I guess you don't understand the skill level of NBA players.
Title: Re: Buzz Spoke In Chicago Today (September 17)
Post by: Murffieus on September 20, 2009, 07:47:42 AM
Lets not forget that DJ regressed significantly last year in FTs.

For a pure shooter practicing FTs may not improve things much-----but for a marginal shooter-----he needs the reps at the FT line. Those reps however shouldn't be of the see how many one can make out of 25 in a row variety (Shaq)-----but should be assimilated to game conditions with
the lane filled with players and taking no more than two at a time.

Not practicing FTs is like a FG kicker not practicing FGs-----or a punter not practicing punting short of the end zone-----or a batter not practicing bunting----or a QB not practicing throwing while rolling out. Any skill need to be worked on in most cases.
Title: Re: Buzz Spoke In Chicago Today (September 17)
Post by: Marquette84 on September 20, 2009, 09:50:57 AM
Not practicing FTs is like a FG kicker not practicing FGs-----or a punter not practicing punting short of the end zone-----

Really?  Does basketball have a FT shooting specialist similar to a kicker or punter, where all he does is shoot free throws on behalf of the rest of the team?

Here's a better example:  Not practicing FTs is like a band or symphony member coming to rehearsal unprepared.  They're expected to practice the material on their own--and when they come to rehearsal they should know the material and practiced it on their own.

They don't work on basics like scales or fingering DURING the group rehearsal--they work that out BEFORE rehearsal.  When you have everyone together, you reserve that time for practice which requires the full ensemble.

Similarly, team practice in basketball should be reserved for team activities--not individual ones. FT practice is homework.

Title: Re: Buzz Spoke In Chicago Today (September 17)
Post by: Tugg Speedman on September 20, 2009, 10:05:29 AM
Excellent analogy 84.  It's not that players should not practice FTs.  I'm sure they do, ON THEIR OWN TIME.

Cottingham told me (Thursday in Chicago) that they are currently limited to 20 hours of organized practices a week.  If they need to set aside part of those 20 hours to practice, FTs, 3-pointers, bounce passes, chest passes, dunks, hook shots and jumpers, they will have to time for anything else.  Then we might as well be a D3 team.
Title: Re: Buzz Spoke In Chicago Today (September 17)
Post by: Murffieus on September 20, 2009, 11:30:46 AM
Really?  Does basketball have a FT shooting specialist similar to a kicker or punter, where all he does is shoot free throws on behalf of the rest of the team?

Here's a better example:  Not practicing FTs is like a band or symphony member coming to rehearsal unprepared.  They're expected to practice the material on their own--and when they come to rehearsal they should know the material and practiced it on their own.

They don't work on basics like scales or fingering DURING the group rehearsal--they work that out BEFORE rehearsal.  When you have everyone together, you reserve that time for practice which requires the full ensemble.

Similarly, team practice in basketball should be reserved for team activities--not individual ones. FT practice is homework.



You raise a good point-----i think every BB team should have a shooting coach (include FTs) barring the HC's expertise in that area!
Title: Re: Buzz Spoke In Chicago Today (September 17)
Post by: Murffieus on September 20, 2009, 11:34:01 AM
Excellent analogy 84.  It's not that players should not practice FTs.  I'm sure they do, ON THEIR OWN TIME.

Cottingham told me (Thursday in Chicago) that they are currently limited to 20 hours of organized practices a week.  If they need to set aside part of those 20 hours to practice, FTs, 3-pointers, bounce passes, chest passes, dunks, hook shots and jumpers, they will have to time for anything else.  Then we might as well be a D3 team.

Three hours per day of practice is more than sufficient to teach all facits of the game (including shooting and other fundamentals)------in fact after Feb 1st practices shouldn't have to be more than 1.5-2 hrs/day
Title: Re: Buzz Spoke In Chicago Today (September 17)
Post by: DaCoach on September 20, 2009, 10:04:21 PM
The reason that most college coaches don't allot any practice time to FTs is simply because of limited times available for all activities. However, ever coach worth his weight expects his players to use their own free time to stay proficient. The ones that do use team time for FT shooting usually do it at the end of practice when the players are more tired.

And while the positive mental image is very important in all shooting, FG and FT, the essentials of a good shooter begin with good form. Whether it's shooting a BB, pitching a baseball, hitting a golf ball, throwing or kicking a football, the best athletes have a consistent form.

We all saw DJ struggle at the line last year. What we also saw was an inconsistent stroke. I would contend that if Dom's form had been consistently developed, he would have improved his 46% rate. I'd suggest his head wasn't positively focused simply because he didn't have that stroke he could fall back on at the line. No one can expect good numbers at the line when he's falling back on his release and that was too often the case last year.

As an aside, I'd be willing to throw down some serious money against the proposition that most NBA players can drown 50 in a row in practice.

Title: Re: Buzz Spoke In Chicago Today (September 17)
Post by: Canned Goods n Ammo on September 21, 2009, 08:49:32 AM
The reason that most college coaches don't allot any practice time to FTs is simply because of limited times available for all activities. However, ever coach worth his weight expects his players to use their own free time to stay proficient. The ones that do use team time for FT shooting usually do it at the end of practice when the players are more tired.


Bingo.

Try this scenario:

Practicing 3 ft putts with make you a better golfer.

However, do you really want to pay to have a pro to watch you try and sink 100 3 footers? Isn't that a waste of money?

Couldn't you work on something that the pro could actually help you with (bunker shots, wedge game, long irons, etc)?

Surely you could get a lesson, and then finish up with your short putting practice afterward. The pro could help you work on your stroke for a few minutes, but then leave you to practice on your own.

Short putts are important, but there isn't a lot of value to paying a pro to stand there and watch you hit them. They are something that can be practiced alone, thus allowing you to allocate more money towards other lessons that would help you more.

Now, take this exact same scenario, but replace "money" with "time" (both limited resources), and "putts" with "free throws" (something that really good players hit 85-90% of).

Free throws are important, but the coaching staff has limited time with the players.
Title: Re: Buzz Spoke In Chicago Today (September 17)
Post by: jaygall31 on September 21, 2009, 10:59:16 AM
back to Buzz and the first day LOI's can be signed....if he thinks it's "a PLACE we've never been before"  what does this mean? or what do we think it means?
Title: Re: Buzz Spoke In Chicago Today (September 17)
Post by: 4everwarriors on September 21, 2009, 12:44:18 PM
I've never been to Paris.
Title: Re: Buzz Spoke In Chicago Today (September 17)
Post by: ChicosBailBonds on September 21, 2009, 01:48:02 PM
In 2007 Gilbert Arenas' made a $20,000 bet with teammate DeShawn Stevenson:

Arenas said that he could make a higher percentage of one handed college three pointers than Stevenson could make of NBA three pointers shot with both hands. Arenas shot 73/100, while Stevenson made 68/96 shots (he quit when he could not catch Arenas).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bn6O42a5vl8

In 2007 Stevenson was 27th in the NBA in 3-Point % at 38.3%.
Gilbert Arenas was not even in the top 50 with a 28.2% rate.

Care to guess how many the 26 ahead of Stevenson hit in practice?

Remind me again why practicing these things helps?

For the idea of "mechanics, mechanics, mechanics,"  these are not 10 year kids.  These are elite athletes.  They know how to make free throws and could all probably hit 50 in a row in practice (Shaq often did).  Game situations are nothing like practice.  Ask Shaq.

Buzz is correct to drill offensive and defensive sets in practice.  If he has a top 100 kid that needs special practice with a coach on the mechanics of FT shooting, I have news for you, that is not a top 100 kid!


Completely different.  Shooting 3 pointers in practice vs game are totally different.  In the game, you have someone coming at you, trying to alter the shot, you're having to bust your ass to get open, coming off multiple screens, etc, etc.  You can't compare the two....especially when you're shooting 3's just a jump shot (or set shot) vs a real game, totally different.

That's not the case for a free throw.  No one is flying at you, no one is trying to block a shot, it's still 15 feet from the basket.  Yes, there is the issue of how tired you are in the game vs practice, but that's also why some coaches force players to take free throws in practice when they are dead tired, to simulate.

I don't see how comparing a 3 point shot in practice with no one trying to guard you comes close to replicating 3 point shooting in a game.  They are two, totally different things.  But free throws in practice vs game are much more similar because it's just you and the rim, nothing else.
Title: Re: Buzz Spoke In Chicago Today (September 17)
Post by: lurch91 on September 21, 2009, 01:52:32 PM
Ok, just read this thread and my question is, Buzz mentioned he cut practice short on Sept 17th because the guys were horrible.  I thought they couldn't practice until Oct 16th?????

What kind of practices are coaches allowed prior to Oct 16th?
Title: Re: Buzz Spoke In Chicago Today (September 17)
Post by: ChicosBailBonds on September 21, 2009, 01:55:17 PM
Ok, just read this thread and my question is, Buzz mentioned he cut practice short on Sept 17th because the guys were horrible.  I thought they couldn't practice until Oct 16th?????

What kind of practices are coaches allowed prior to Oct 16th?


Buzz has a special NCAA rule book that the other schools don't have
Title: Re: Buzz Spoke In Chicago Today (September 17)
Post by: MUfan12 on September 21, 2009, 02:03:48 PM
Ok, just read this thread and my question is, Buzz mentioned he cut practice short on Sept 17th because the guys were horrible.  I thought they couldn't practice until Oct 16th?????

What kind of practices are coaches allowed prior to Oct 16th?
To seriously answer your question, I believe the NCAA allows 2 hours per week for the coaches to be with the team. When the amigos were freshman, TC took those two hours for the Katrina scrimmage.
Title: Re: Buzz Spoke In Chicago Today (September 17)
Post by: MuMark on September 21, 2009, 02:04:00 PM
Teams are allowed some limited practice time before practice officially starts.

Leave it to the NCAA................


ps. Well I've never been to Spain
But I kinda like the music
Say the ladies are insane there
And they sure know how to use it
The don't abuse it
Never gonna lose it
I can't refuse it
Title: Re: Buzz Spoke In Chicago Today (September 17)
Post by: ChicosBailBonds on September 23, 2009, 11:16:33 AM
I have to think with Buzz's comments he has a commitment in hand he's not sharing (because he can't), otherwise I wouldn't see him making those comments.  I'm guessing it's Vander Blue.