Why can't we hit free throws?

#28
#28
Insunseri said:
I could understand one or two players on a team having free throw problems... but almost the whole team struggles. Heard an interview with Stokes, he was talking about how hard they focused on free throws in practice, and how all you have to do is have the "right stroke". We usually play close games...we could potentially lose multiple games because of such a simple thing. Cool story to be sure, but it's frustrating as well.
Click to expand...

Very few coaches or players, take free throws seriously these days. Practicing FTs is an afterthought and not done with any focus. Most coaches leave it up to players to teach themselves and work on them as much or as little as they wish.
 
#29
#29
Insunseri said:
I could understand one or two players on a team having free throw problems... but almost the whole team struggles. Heard an interview with Stokes, he was talking about how hard they focused on free throws in practice, and how all you have to do is have the "right stroke". We usually play close games...we could potentially lose multiple games because of such a simple thing. Cool story to be sure, but it's frustrating as well.
Click to expand...

THIS. I typed that nearly two months ago...it makes me sick. I'm sorry Gonzo, if you're this deep into the season and your guys still can't hit free throws, that reflects on your coaching. Those 4 missed FTs in a row at the end are inexcusable. We should have been in a position to ice the game and make them foul us, but no, your boys can't hit their 15-foot uncontested FREE throws. I'm mad bro.
 
#31
#31
Insunseri said:
THIS. I typed that nearly two months ago...it makes me sick. I'm sorry Gonzo, if you're this deep into the season and your guys still can't hit free throws, that reflects on your coaching. Those 4 missed FTs in a row at the end are inexcusable. We should have been in a position to ice the game and make them foul us, but no, your boys can't hit their 15-foot uncontested FREE throws. I'm mad bro.
Click to expand...

Continues to happen game after game. It's called melting down when the pressure is on. Remember Josh Richardsons air ball FT at the KY game when we could have cut it to a 2 PT lead? CHOKE!
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#33
#33
Insunseri said:
THIS. I typed that nearly two months ago...it makes me sick. I'm sorry Gonzo, if you're this deep into the season and your guys still can't hit free throws, that reflects on your coaching. Those 4 missed FTs in a row at the end are inexcusable. We should have been in a position to ice the game and make them foul us, but no, your boys can't hit their 15-foot uncontested FREE throws. I'm mad bro.
Click to expand...

And what I said two months ago still holds true today. Close games are won and lost at the free throw line.
 
#35
#35
knowthevols said:
And what I said two months ago still holds true today. Close games are won and lost at the free throw line.
Click to expand...

UT missed 10 FT's. Ole Miss missed 14 FT's. Turnovers killed UT more. They both led to a loss, but both teams missed their fair share of FT's.
 
#37
#37
1985Vols said:
Continues to happen game after game. It's called melting down when the pressure is on. Remember Josh Richardsons air ball FT at the KY game when we could have cut it to a 2 PT lead? CHOKE!
Click to expand...

"CHOKE" is a tough term to use on 18-22 yr olds but this team certainly has shown an inability to execute on either end of the court in the closing minutes of a close game.
 
#38
#38
Four straight missed FTs at 56-58 and a stupid rushed 3-pt shot attempt at 56-59 with 30 seconds left.

I also thought the team did a horrible job on Henderson once he got hot. It was obvious that the entire plan was to keep screening for him. The closest man needed to be ready to step out when Henderson's man got screened. But, he kept getting plenty of room to get his shot off. Lousy help defense.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#39
#39
ukvols said:
Four straight missed FTs at 56-58 and a stupid rushed 3-pt shot attempt at 56-59 with 30 seconds left.

I also thought the team did a horrible job on Henderson once he got hot. It was obvious that the entire plan was to keep screening for him. The closest man needed to be ready to step out when Henderson's man got screened. But, he kept getting plenty of room to get his shot off. Lousy help defense.
Click to expand...

Other than turnover after turnover the entire game (and a lot of them unforced), that was the end of the game in a nutshell. You have to execute down the stretch of a close game and/or hit FT's and UT can do neither. They have horrible ball handlers and their FT shooting is bad. It's hard to beat an average team with those kind of flaws.

I thought the effort was there tonight unlike last time. Tonight, they continued to find ways to lose close games. It's becoming a common occurence that is hard to break.

We're almost in Feb and this team is what it is. An average team that can beat some good teams, but will end up with close to a .500 record. A step back for these players and coaching staff.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#40
#40
Backwards K said:
"CHOKE" is a tough term to use on 18-22 yr olds but this team certainly has shown an inability to execute on either end of the court in the closing minutes of a close game.
Click to expand...

18-22 is your prime athletic days. Plenty other guys in that age group are able to cope...we want those guys
 
#42
#42
OrangeBalls said:
UT missed 10 FT's. Ole Miss missed 14 FT's. Turnovers killed UT more. They both led to a loss, but both teams missed their fair share of FT's.
Click to expand...

I would agree.

However, you would think a team that struggles as much as we do with basic passes, ball handling, 3-point shooting, and offense in general would at least make their free throws.

Points are at a premium for us, and those are free ones. The least we could do is take advantage of those chances, because Lord knows we can't score from the floor.
 
#43
#43
utfan72408 said:
I would agree.

However, you would think a team that struggles as much as we do with basic passes, ball handling, 3-point shooting, and offense in general would at least make their free throws.

Points are at a premium for us, and those are free ones. The least we could do is take advantage of those chances, because Lord knows we can't score from the floor.
Click to expand...

As I said, this team is what it is. They aren't changing much between now and March. It's a flawed team that doesn't have a reliable PG to lead them to a victory in a close game down the stretch. They turn the ball over too much, they aren't a good team offensively and really only have one consistent offensive player. They had their chances and still screwed it up.

The defense was there tonight in the 1st half and gave this team a chance to win. The defense wasn't there in the 2nd half. Couple that with turnovers and horrible FT shooting and you get a loss.

The only good news is that the schedule turns much more favorable. Of course, we'd have to play Ole Miss twice in the year that they've ever been worth a damn in some time. Whether UT decides to come to play every night is the question. 18 league games is a grind and there are going to be off nights. When you lose when you try about as hard as you can then it's pretty telling.
 
#44
#44
Insunseri said:
I could understand one or two players on a team having free throw problems... but almost the whole team struggles. Heard an interview with Stokes, he was talking about how hard they focused on free throws in practice, and how all you have to do is have the "right stroke". We usually play close games...we could potentially lose multiple games because of such a simple thing. Cool story to be sure, but it's frustrating as well.
Click to expand...
It is fundamental that u have a routine with each try. Dribble the ball 1-2-3 times , use your whole body, most of the force should come from lower body . do the same thning every time. Stokes uses a different manner almost every time- that is poor coaching. I couldnt even make the varsity squad in HS, but I shot 80% on FTS during my b team career- it shouldnt be that hard. It s not concentrating and using the same approach- bad coaching and its is getting old.
 
#45
#45
OrangeBalls said:
UT missed 10 FT's. Ole Miss missed 14 FT's. Turnovers killed UT more. They both led to a loss, but both teams missed their fair share of FT's.
Click to expand...

True, but OM missing FTs isn't an excuse for us to miss them. You have to take advantage of their mistakes by not making them yoursefl.
 
#46
#46
cncchris33 said:
True, but OM missing FTs isn't an excuse for us to miss them. You have to take advantage of their mistakes by not making them yoursefl.
Click to expand...

He said close games are won and lost at the FT line and I was simply pointing out that Ole Miss missed more than UT. I think UT lost because they didn't take care of the ball.
 
#47
#47
Bump. 1-and-1 is my single worst nightmare with this team. I just don't get it. They just don't ever get better. Thank God that dude missed
 
#48
#48
Insunseri said:
Bump. 1-and-1 is my single worst nightmare with this team. I just don't get it. They just don't ever get better. Thank God that dude missed
Click to expand...

Agreed x1000. 1-and-1 for us is like a free defensive stop for the other team. It's so frustrating.

It's so bad that I would actually rather NOT be in the bonus at the end.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#49
#49
We actually finished 13-19 FTs, which, while not good, isn't THAT bad. (68.4%)

The catch is that we missed our last 3, all in the final minute. The final 2 misses were each the front end of a 1-and-1 as Vandy desperately tried to come back.

That's pathetic. Put the damn game away guys.
 
#50
#50
utfan72408 said:
We actually finished 13-19 FTs, which, while not good, isn't THAT bad. (68.4%)

The catch is that we missed our last 3, all in the final minute. The final 2 misses were each the front end of a 1-and-1 as Vandy desperately tried to come back.

That's pathetic. Put the damn game away guys.
Click to expand...

Exactly. This was the best game in a LONG time from the line. Even got the guys we want on the line at the end in McBee and Golden. I know **** happens, but those two have got to be able to hit the first one at the very least in those situations.

Edit: I know it wasn't Golden. My bad.
 
Last edited:
New posts
You must log in or register to reply here.

VN Store



Back
Top