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are on the players. But made the last three.

When it involves multiple players across multiple games, how can that not reflect poorly on the coaches?

Seems like it's always down the stretch. Do you think he doesn't run them enough when they miss FT's in practice? You can try to simulate pressure in practice butyou can't put the ice water in the veins.

I don't know what the answer is, but I do know that ultimately the blame stops at the top. If we're saying "it's the players" after every game, at what point does the coach stop getting a pass? To me, consistent free throw problems aren't different than consistently poor shot selection or consistent turnovers. Sure, part of it is the players...but, then again, maybe part of it is the way they're being coached.

Are you serious?

I too have questions concerning CCM, but free throw shooting to close games out? This comes down on the players imo. Gotta go up to the line and get it done.

How many players have missed crucial end-of-game free throws, and in how many games? At what point does the coach bear some of the responsibility?

I don't disagree that when you view a game in isolation, you don't blame the coach when players make mistakes that result in a loss. But when the same subject is coming up game after game...yes, I'm serious.

So how would you suggest that a coach assure that his players make free throws at the end of close games?

There are absolutely things that coaches are responsible for.  When a coach puts his best players in a position to be successful, however, and they fail to do so it really falls more to the athlete than the staff.  At least that is how I see it.

I would bet that the Vols shoot free throws in practice under conditions where they are fatigued. If not, then that could be put on the coach. I am interested in what your thoughts are on how coaching can correct this - and I am not attempting to be argumentative, just trying to understand this reasoning.

Its not like he is putting the ball in the hands of poor free throw shooters (at least % wise).

inability to make free throws, I'd have them shoot so many free throws they could make them in their sleep.  :patriot:

I don't have the answer because I'm not a coach. But, as an observer, I know that good teams typically shoot good percentages from the free throw line. In fact, I'll take it a step further: Consistent free throw troubles are often the sign of laziness (mentally if not physically) with a team...and how many times have we questioned the lack of intensity from this UT basketball team?

I look at it the same way as turnovers. Players make turnovers, not the coach. And if a guy is taught well but still turns the ball over in a crucial situation late in a game, that's on the player. But if it's happening with multiple players in multiple games . . . Missed free throws and turnovers are the things that lead to losses. And, ultimately, it's on the coach to make sure his team avoids the things that lead to losses.

I would agree.  Free throw precentages can (and often have been) be improved through instruction and practice, both of which tie DIRECTLY back to coaching.

When players are good free throw shooters miss late-game charity tosses it is likely not the result of instruction and practice.  More likely to be the result of performing under pressure, which is hard to develop in practice situations.

Trust me, it can be

You guys crack me up.

So.....just to pour gas on the fire, there's this: The Vols are second in the SEC in FT shooting and leading the SEC in FT shooting in conference play. (flea'd from govols247.com)

I make no comment on the relevance of that to the arguments in this thread. Just the facts, ma'am.   :biggrin:

 :naughty:

Part of that is that Stokes is shooting a far better percentage recently and also we tend to have a better FT shooting guard in the game at the end ...