Free Throw Shooting

[Bradleyfan1]

I think this will be our biggest weakness. With that being said. I was wondering who you trust at the line to knock them down.
For me its Brown and maybe Bar. Im talking 80 % or better type of season knock em down.

[Da Coach]

You might be right, Bradleyfans1, FT shooting could be a bit of a problem, but I am hoping it's not.
The team lost their 2 best FT shooters from last season- Luuk van Bree was 78.3% and DLO was 75.0%. But there is some good news...

The top returning FT shooter is Darrell Brown, who was at 73.8%, but in the previous season (2017-18 ) DB lead the team with 80.4% on FTs.

But it is interesting to note that Coach Wardle had Nate Kennell shoot technical foul free throws a couple times last season (Darrell Brown also shot some technical FTs). But Nate had an off-year last season, shooting 65.4% on FTs (he was at 77.1% his sophomore year). I am confident he will do much better this year.

Elijah Childs shot 65.9% last year, but I think he might improve this year. He improved from 53.7% to 65.9% from freshman year to sophomore year.

And Koch Bar surprised some of us by shooting 73.6% last season. That was significantly better than his freshman and sophomore years.

Danya Kingsby could get a lot of FTs, considering has a history of being a dribble-drive, shot creator type of player. In his 2 seasons at College of Southern Idaho, Kingsby shot FTs at 77.3% in 2016-17 and 80.5% in 2017-18. And among the top reserves who played in Tuesday's exhibition games, Ville Tahvanainen is an outstanding FT shooter. He shot 85.0% on FTs last year for his pro team, HBA-Marsky, in the Finland Pro league. Stephan Gabriel and Antonio Thomas are a bit of an unknown, and JaShon Henry shot 52.8% on FTs his freshman year.

When they return, Rienk Mast shot 75.0% with his team in the Dutch pro league last year, and Ari Boya was only 10-24 (41.7%) last season.

[Bradleyfan1]

If possible. Id redshirt Mast and Boya. I expect alot from Vile but trying to keep in mind hes going to be tested like hes never been before. Browns going to be at the line less than ever i think. Henry is a real x Factor here for me. I think we will be at the line alot and its going to be a HUGE factor in the success of the season and making this final move.

[Da Coach]

One thing to consider is that Ville will probably not be starting this season. He will most likely be subbing in when Nate comes out. Thus, for his freshman year, Ville will be guarded mostly by the backups on our opponents, and probably not so much by the better defensive players who are usually starters.
Plus, Ville has already had a full season of playing on his team in the top Finnish pro league, Helsinki Basketball Academy. Though his team was made up entirely of amateurs, they played against the other teams in the league who all had pros on them. Some were 10-15 year pro players. So, I'm sure he faced many good defensive players, and still he was the team's leading scorer and star, and he proved himself to be a decent defender as well.

[BUfan39]

Ville *could* be a steal. Time will tell but I liked what I saw in real action.

[Dub]

I'm not overly worried about the FT shooting. I think we'll be average to above average from there. What I love is that:
Ville Tahvanainen's first shot attempt as a Bradley Brave was a made 3.
Gabriel's first shot attempt as a Bradley Brave was a made dunk.
We finished with dunks 6-8 times or more.
Everyone who returned this year is healthy-ish and looks stronger/bigger.
Our team played very hard and scrappy throughout, even against a DIII and being up 40+
Thus it looks like we will have heart and a competitive drive, which you can't underestimate the importance of.
Table looks set to me.

[elmerb]

I thought Mast was out this season? We sure could use Boya. I'm looking 23 to 25 wins and a NCAA bid.
GO BRADLEY

[BUfan17]

Free throws win games, we saw that happen against Michigan State. I think it could be a weakness for us but its hard to say this early. For now I'd say DB is our go to FT shooter.

[Da Coach]

I thought Mast was out this season? We sure could use Boya. I'm looking 23 to 25 wins and a NCAA bid.
GO BRADLEY

No decision has been made yet about Rienk Mast regarding redshirt. He is continuing to improve. They are targeting late December for his possible return if the coaches feel he would benefit the team and if the medical staff feel it is safe for him to return to playing. However, if he needs longer to recover, they still have the option of redshirting him. He can play in as many as 9 games (30% of the scheduled games) ans still be eligible for a redshirt as long as he does not play after the half-way point of the season.

[Tommy]

I was thinking the same thing when I watched the game Tuesday night. If BW’s teams have a weakness, FT’s would be it.
I remember seeing a video decades ago by Rick Pitino on how to shoot FT’s and it was really helpful and I wish BU would use it, as I think it would be a really great tool.
I get the impression from the FT shooting we’ve seen the last few years that there isn’t a lot of time and effort put into that aspect of the game.
All that being said, it’s hard to complain about BW at all. He’s done a tremendous job and if FT’s are our biggest weakness, I think I can live with that. Give me effort, solid D, and ball control and I’m pretty happy.

[Wizard]

IMO, Ville will become a '''super Star" for BU. His 3 pt. shooting is unbelievably good, he can drive the lane, handle the ball, and will become a primary weapon for BU, He will be a starter before the season is over.
Wizard

[Bradleyfan1]

I feel like Ville, will be one, I can add to my list. I feel pretty good about him in general. He's a freshman tho, so obviously , the jury is out.

[bigjimmy]

Last year there were only 2 D1 schools, University of the Incarnate Word and Hofstra, out of 351 that shot better than 80% from the FT line. We were ranked at #227 at 69.2%. It isn't that they don't practice FT's in different situations. But if you practice poor FT form you're going to be a poor FT shooter. Others are just naturals at it. Hopefully those are the guys who have the ball driving to the basket especially late in the game. That's my biggest concern for this season, who's the one or ones who can make those FT's.