Ben Gold Improvement

[muwarrior69]

Update- After reading about how the wrong size ball caused problems for Duke's Women's team (they had a NCAA men's bball for the first half of a game), I thought it would be interesting to see what size ball Ben played with in international play. I figured that he would have long since adjusted to the NCAA ball if there was, in fact, a difference from the international one. Maybe he still is adjusting, but my comments about his bobbling the ball need to be taken in context. Interesting read.

https://sportsaspire.com/official-basketball-size

If the larger mens ball were causing problems for the women and assuming Ben was playing with a FIBA ball I would think it would be easier for him to adjust to the smaller NCAA mens basketball. Again, I don't play so there may be other factors like using a little less force to bank shot a lighter ball that comes into play or the bounce of the ball is slightly different.

[21Jumpstreet]

Ben is a good player, hope he gets a little more run.

[Scoop Snoop]

If the larger mens ball were causing problems for the women and assuming Ben was playing with a FIBA ball I would think it would be easier for him to adjust to the smaller NCAA mens basketball. Again, I don't play so there may be other factors like using a little less force to bank shot a lighter ball that comes into play or the bounce of the ball is slightly different.

Good question. Sultan pointed out that the women's ball is smaller and lighter. Also, note that the link I posted included data regarding how high the ball bounces when dropped from x feet. While it seems logical that a smaller ball would be easier to handle, my suspicion is that any change, even one that seems very minor to us is may be a big effin' deal for players. So, there are factors besides the size of the ball that need to be considered. I never was a player either, unless you count the awesome, absolutely stunningly beautiful air balls that I launched as a kid. It's very possible that Ben is still adjusting to the men's NCAA ball. If so, my criticism of his bobbling the ball needs to be understood in context.

[MU82]

The FIBA ball is the same size as an NBA and college ball, though there are some players who claim it feels smaller and lighter.

Regardless, Ben Gold has been with Marquette's program for about 6 months now, practicing every day with the NCAA ball. How many times has he even touched a FIBA basketball over that span?

Ben's a good athlete, and it seems unlikely to me that he's still not used to an NCAA basketball after catching, passing, shooting and dribbling it exclusively for all these months.

Some guys are just a little less sure-handed, and that seems especially true of bigs. IIRC, both Theo John and Ed Morrow had times where they struggled to secure the basketball, and both of them were very strong. Joey Hauser has offensive skills but sometimes he gets the bobbles. Hopefully, Ben will become more sure-handed as he gains more experience.

[Daniel]

Good question. Sultan pointed out that the women's ball is smaller and lighter. Also, note that the link I posted included data regarding how high the ball bounces when dropped from x feet. While it seems logical that a smaller ball would be easier to handle, my suspicion is that any change, even one that seems very minor to us is may be a big effin' deal for players. So, there are factors besides the size of the ball that need to be considered. I never was a player either, unless you count the awesome, absolutely stunningly beautiful air balls that I launched as a kid. It's very possible that Ben is still adjusting to the men's NCAA ball. If so, my criticism of his bobbling the ball needs to be understood in context.

I would guess as a shooter, the  difference in size might be a real factor.  Shooting is a finesse movement.... Where you release the ball, at what sped, spin, arc etc I would guess would all be affected by a different size ball.  I never even thought about the international ball size before this was posted here, but I would guess it does make a difference.  Maybe even in rebounding.

[Scoop Snoop]

The FIBA ball is the same size as an NBA and college ball, though there are some players who claim it feels smaller and lighter.

Regardless, Ben Gold has been with Marquette's program for about 6 months now, practicing every day with the NCAA ball. How many times has he even touched a FIBA basketball over that span?

Ben's a good athlete, and it seems unlikely to me that he's still not used to an NCAA basketball after catching, passing, shooting and dribbling it exclusively for all these months.

Some guys are just a little less sure-handed, and that seems especially true of bigs. IIRC, both Theo John and Ed Morrow had times where they struggled to secure the basketball, and both of them were very strong. Joey Hauser has offensive skills but sometimes he gets the bobbles. Hopefully, Ben will become more sure-handed as he gains more experience.

The story I linked says 29.5 " circumference for the NCAA ball vs. 30.7" for FIBA.

To be clear, I'm not absolutely saying that Ben is still adjusting to the NCAA ball after all this time. I'm merely saying it's possible. Your scenario has equal validity as a theory.

[Jay Bee]

Why are the women playing with a smaller, lighter ball than the men? What is a woman? What is a man? Big issues here

[NCMUFan]

If they made tennis racquet faces larger to make it easier to hit the tennis ball in a larger sweet spot, why not make the basketball smaller in relationship to the rim diameter to make it also easier to go through the hoop?

[4everwarriors]

The women's basketball is used by boys until 7th grade around here.  It is easier for small hands.

Anywon no which ball Suzanne Somers plays wit. Herd she has big hands, hey?

[warriorchick]

If they made tennis racquet faces larger to make it easier to hit the tennis ball in a larger sweet spot, why not make the basketball smaller in relationship to the rim diameter to make it also easier to go through the hoop?

Because that has ruined pro tennis.

[muwarrior69]

The story I linked says 29.5 " circumference for the NCAA ball vs. 30.7" for FIBA.

To be clear, I'm not absolutely saying that Ben is still adjusting to the NCAA ball after all this time. I'm merely saying it's possible. Your scenario has equal validity as a theory.

The link says 29.5 to 30 inches weigh 20 to 22 ounces. Is the size and weight determined by how much air it is inflated with, which to me would effect the bounce not just dribbling but off the rim and bank shots. Is the home team responsible for inflating the ball or do the officials do that?

[Scoop Snoop]

The link says 29.5 to 30 inches weigh 20 to 22 ounces. Is the size and weight determined by how much air it is inflated with, which to me would effect the bounce not just dribbling but off the rim and bank shots. Is the home team responsible for inflating the ball or do the officials do that?

I have the link open as I write this and under the FIBA heading, it reads " The circumference is 30.7 inches, and the weight is between 567 and 650 gm." The FIBA ball size was my primary point.

You did not identify which ball you were referencing but obviously it is the NCAA ball. As to your question as to who is responsible for inflating the ball- easy question! The New England Patriots of course.

[muwarrior69]

I have the link open as I write this and under the FIBA heading, it reads " The circumference is 30.7 inches, and the weight is between 567 and 650 gm." The FIBA ball size was my primary point.

You did not identify which ball you were referencing but obviously it is the NCAA ball. As to your question as to who is responsible for inflating the ball- easy question! The New England Patriots of course.

Wasn't it deflating?

[Scoop Snoop]

Wasn't it deflating?

You got a problem with that? If Ben drops the ball, it will not bounce so he can just pick it up. Works for me.

[Newsdreams]

The story I linked says 29.5 " circumference for the NCAA ball vs. 30.7" for FIBA.

To be clear, I'm not absolutely saying that Ben is still adjusting to the NCAA ball after all this time. I'm merely saying it's possible. Your scenario has equal validity as a theory hypothesis.

There, hypothesis vs theory.

[Scoop Snoop]

There, hypothesis vs theory.

That's fair.

[warriorchick]

Nice Ben Steele article about Ben:

https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/college/marquette/2023/02/10/golden-eagles-mens-coach-shaka-smart-loves-ben-golds-talent/69888578007/

[Newsdreams]

Nice Ben Steele article about Ben:

https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/college/marquette/2023/02/10/golden-eagles-mens-coach-shaka-smart-loves-ben-golds-talent/69888578007/

Not excellent?

[WarriorFan]

I'd sit Omax and start Ben against Gtown.  Omax has had like 7 stinkers in a row and Ben has earned it.

[DoctorV]

I'd sit Omax and start Ben against Gtown.  Omax has had like 7 stinkers in a row and Ben has earned it.

Don't think it's a good idea to change the starting lineup.

I'd also be extremely surprised if Coach Shaka thinks it's a good idea.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

I'd sit Omax and start Ben against Gtown.  Omax has had like 7 stinkers in a row and Ben has earned it.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I'd sit Omax and start Ben against Gtown.  Omax has had like 7 stinkers in a row and Ben has earned it.

He's had two stinkers in a row. In the 5 other supposed stinkers here is Oso's average line:
12.4 point, 5.2 rebound, 3.4 assists, 1.6 steals 2.0 blocks, 1.4 turnovers, 81.8 FG%

I have been on the Kiwi-mobile since the beginning but let's not be silly

[21Jumpstreet]

Everybody's talking about bagism, shagism, dragism, madism...All we are sayin, is give Ben a chance...over Jop. Pretty sure that's how the song goes.

[Scoop Snoop]

He's had two stinkers in a row. In the 5 other supposed stinkers here is Oso's average line:
12.4 point, 5.2 rebound, 3.4 assists, 1.6 steals 2.0 blocks, 1.4 turnovers, 81.8 FG%

I have been on the Kiwi-mobile since the beginning but let's not be silly

Love to see Ben on the floor but....as you said...This "start Ben" is simply a dumb idea.

[Goose]

I am with TAMU. Love Ben, but he is a work in progress.