question..how can you be that

[sc455]

bad at the foul line? It is called a charity stripe for a reason. we were 50% for the game. that is two sec games lost on foul shots.

[COCKDIESEL]

I have also wondered how kids talented enough to make it to this level and that practice as much as these guys do an be as bad a the line as we are. But I'll be honest it's not just a USC problem. I bet if you studied the numbers FT% as a whole would be down across the board. I have also wondered why we can't recruit a specialist. A guy who's only Job is to come in late in a close game and get fouled and hit 85% FT's at the end of a game.

[COCKDIESEL]

Also I understand that recruiting a guy just for FT's is probably unrealistic because of the numbers, but hell if we have guys that areworthless in the last 5 mins why can't we have a guy who is worthlessin the first 35?

[cockypanther]

FTs are pretty basic. I could probably go out and hit 7/10 and I haven't played basketball in a few months now. A lot of kids just don't have a good stroke and don't practice it enough bc it isn't flashy.

[catdaddy66]

This is especially confusing because we were much better to start the season. Our percentage has dropped significantly in the last 6-8 weeks. I don't get it... it should be something the players do on auto pilot. It should also be a point of pride that you make as many as you can, but sadly it doesn't seem to be.

[markymark550]

Originally Posted by COCKDIESEL

I have also wondered how kids talented enough to make it to this level and that practice as much as these guys do an be as bad a the line as we are. But I'll be honest it's not just a USC problem. I bet if you studied the numbers FT% as a whole would be down across the board. I have also wondered why we can't recruit a specialist. A guy who's only Job is to come in late in a close game and get fouled and hit 85% FT's at the end of a game.

I read an article a couple of years ago (think it was on CBS Sports website) about a study done on free throws. Study showed that FT percentages were steadily dropping over a 10 year period. Was just a numbers study and didn't offer any explanation as to why they were dropping.

[Spurrier_Superior_One]

Fundamentals in almost all sports are going away. Look at tackling in college and the NFL it is about the big hit everytime rather than wrapping up.

[cockypanther]

Part of the problem could maybe be that our players have continued lifting weights through the season which they didn't do under Horn.

[Travelin]

Originally Posted by cockypanther

FTs are pretty basic. I could probably go out and hit 7/10 and I haven't played basketball in a few months now. A lot of kids just don't have a good stroke and don't practice it enough bc it isn't flashy.

They aren't shooting them in their driveway.

[I Bleed Garnet]

This seems to be a question asked across the board in basketball.

Vertical leaps are increasing. FT % going down.

[cockypanther]

Originally Posted by Travelin

They aren't shooting them in their driveway.

Doesn't change the fact that free throws are a basic element of basketball and all it takes is repetition.

[aftertwobowls]

If you've watched Gamecock basketball at all in the lat 20 years, you know that missing FT's is the Gamecock way...

[thumpin big]

It is a problem that frustrates me. We have some guys are ok FT shooters (Williams, Carrera, BRich). But some of our guys are pretty sorry at FT(Ellington, Smith, Chatkevicius, Jackson) Overall, we are not nearly as good as we need to be to win games. Had we shot 80% against UGA in regulation, we would have won that game.

[Cockhornleghorn]

Originally Posted by cockypanther

FTs are pretty basic. I could probably go out and hit 7/10 and I haven't played basketball in a few months now. A lot of kids just don't have a good stroke and don't practice it enough bc it isn't flashy.

There's a big difference in hitting them in practice and hitting them in a tight game.

[robgusc76]

You're asking this about a team that has trouble with layups.

[gsmith4776]

I think it goes further than just ft's. The 15-18 ft jumpshot has gone away. I guess athleticism( getting to the rim) and 3 pt line are to blame

[Flips]

Originally Posted by gsmith4776

I think it goes further than just ft's. The 15-18 ft jumpshot has gone away. I guess athleticism( getting to the rim) and 3 pt line are to blame

The15-18 foot jumpshot is the least efficient way to score. You might as well back out to the 3-pt line and get an extra point, and the percentages say that attacking the rim is the best way to score.

[Travelin]

They should change the rule. give the fouled team the option at FT or take an inbounds. either way, we screwed.

[thumpin big]

Originally Posted by gsmith4776

I think it goes further than just ft's. The 15-18 ft jumpshot has gone away. I guess athleticism( getting to the rim) and 3 pt line are to blame

If I had my way, the 3 point line would disappear. I have never liked it. I would probably also lengthen the shot clock to 45 seconds, or more.

[scfanz]

It's the same reason our college kids struggle against international competition; our kids lack sound fundamentals. The whole focus in basketball has now become dunks and slams. Travelling and palming are no longer called in the NBA and rarely called in college. Our kids are extremely talented athletically, but the European kids are far better fundamentally.