Brandon at the line

[Fan Of The Game]

One observation for those who don't actually get to watch the Hoyas play (or at least didn't get to see them play against Seton Hall). Brandon has completely changed his approach at the free throw line. Normally Brandon takes his free throws from 2-3 feet behind the free throw line...we all thought it was crazy for him to give himself the extra distance, but hey, whatever works. Last night (and possibly at the BC game I wasn't paying attention to it) he shot all his free throws with his toes next to the line (like everybody else who shoots free throws).

The box score analyst would tell you it was a successful change: he went 14-15 from the line en route to 25 points. What you don't see in the box score is that not one of the 14 makes were pattern swishes...there was lots of front rimming and back rimming but somehow the ball always found a way to get in.

Regardless, it appears he's found a new syle that is working for him, and once he builds some muscle memory at that distance, watch out world, we're free throw shooting our way to the NCAA's.

[TBird41]

I was surprised to hear that BB only shoots around 67% for FTs. Maybe it's just because when I think of him shooting FTs I think of him draining the two clutch FTs his freshman year at Pitt.

[KHoyaNYC]

they bounce around because Brandons FTs are like line drives - no arc whatsoever. But, he did a great job last night at the line.

One minor criticism. I love BB's game, but he still drives me crazy with his wild "happy feet" drives to the basket which often result in either charges or travelling violations. Warner Wolf described one of his drives last night as being like a fullback trying to break through the line. When I watched the replay, Warner actually had a good point - BB looked like a running back with the ball tucked under his arm.

[TrueHoyaBlue]

TBird41 said:

I was surprised to hear that BB only shoots around 67% for FTs. Maybe it's just because when I think of him shooting FTs I think of him draining the two clutch FTs his freshman year at Pitt.

Well, after last night's performance, he's up to 71%!

[Grandpa]

TBird41 said:

I was surprised to hear that BB only shoots around 67% for FTs. Maybe it's just because when I think of him shooting FTs I think of him draining the two clutch FTs his freshman year at Pitt.

FYI - With the 14-15 FT performance last night, Brandon is now up to 71.6% on the season (73.3% in conference). He shot right around 70% last season (71% in conference).

It would be great if he could push that percentage up closer to 75-80% range over the next year given his ability to get to the line.

[ShimmyJr]

KHoyaNYC said:

they bounce around because Brandons FTs are like line drives - no arc whatsoever. But, he did a great job last night at the line.

One minor criticism. I love BB's game, but he still drives me crazy with his wild "happy feet" drives to the basket which often result in either charges or travelling violations. Warner Wolf described one of his drives last night as being like a fullback trying to break through the line. When I watched the replay, Warner actually had a good point - BB looked like a running back with the ball tucked under his arm.

KHoya, I was right with you and still am to a certain degree, but this kid has blossomed into a legit threat - i mean there were two or three times when the squad was in desperate need of a basket and brandon had a pretty stutter step dribble drive taking his man to the bucket for two - just great drives and finishes...he has also reined in his happy feet (aka bad brandon) immensely this year - couldnt be happier about his progress - i would like to see him improve through his senior year as well and have a shot at the draft (something I never would have said a year ago)

[Hoya50]

why brandon isn't featured in the post more is an enigma to me. he should get a minimum of 8-10 touches in the post per game.

[HoyaChris]

Hoya50 said:

why brandon isn't featured in the post more is an enigma to me. he should get a minimum of 8-10 touches in the post per game.

Brandon isn't featured in the post because he is not very good with his back to the basket. One of Thompson's best coaching moves has been to get the ball to Brandon as he is facing the basket, where his massive and massively quick first step is truly terrifying to defenders. Brandon got the ball in the post much more last year with generally one of three results. He would either a.) not go up strong and have the ball thrown back in his face, or b.) travel or c.) go up off balance and generally miss.

[EasyEd]

Hope when he shoots his FTs with his foot just behind the line he doesn't go to size 18 shoes.

[SoCalHoya]

Bowman really has matured. He has a devastatingly quick first step and his ability to cut has greatly improved since I last saw him.

His FT style, however, scares me to DEATH. He shoots them like Shaq, no arc...like he's playing darts. I'm so glad he went 14/15 last night, but I'm telling you it was a near heart attack for me each time he was at the line.

[Hoya50]

completely diagree about brandon's ability in the post. his post footwork is pretty solid and his length allows him to wrap around players.

a couple of looks in the post would open up his perimeter game. plus, there are very few defenders that handle the post and the perimeter. brandon should take advantage of that.

[HoyaChris]

Hoya50 said:

completely diagree about brandon's ability in the post. his post footwork is pretty solid and his length allows him to wrap around players.

a couple of looks in the post would open up his perimeter game. plus, there are very few defenders that handle the post and the perimeter. brandon should take advantage of that.

You may like his footwork, but reality would suggest otherwise. This was a pet peeve of mine and so I decided to investigate last summer. Between ESPN and Full Court I had nine games on tape from last season. Brandon made a move with his back to the basket 31 times in those nine games, and the results were pretty dismal. In 31 attempts he scored 5 times, missed 6 times, was blocked 9 times and turned the ball over a ridiculous 11 times. I believe that almost all of his improvement in offensive efficiency this year is that Thompson has largely convinced him to attack the basket while he is facing it.

[JimmyHoya]

KHoyaNYC said:

Warner Wolf described one of his drives last night as being like a fullback trying to break through the line. When I watched the replay, Warner actually had a good point - BB looked like a running back with the ball tucked under his arm.

Well, he DID do that...he was called for travelling after putting his head down and essentially running from the 3 point arc to the base line. It wasn't even close. It was pretty funny though.

Much like Jeff Green's block on that lay up. O-M-G. ;D

I think I've seen Green block more fast break layups this year than I have ever before. He's making Tayshaun Prince's block in the playoff's last year look tame and generic. Every game he makes another amazing play!

[nychoya3]

Brandon SHOULD be good in the post. But Brandon is NOT good in the post. Every now and then, he makes a move where you just think, "why doesn't he do that all the time?" But mostly, he travels or takes a wild scoop shot. One thing he never really does is a turnaround jumper, which he should be very good at considering his jumping ability and good touch.

The slicing layup in the second half with the and-one was my favorite BB play of the year. He goes around three pirates like they're standing still. He just sticks out those long legs of his, and then finishes a tough, off-balance layup. Just an awesome play. He has yet to equal the ferocity of his dunk on Nova as a frosh, but I'm sure he'll pull something out in the next couple years.

BTW, the BB to the NBA talk is nuts, absent some sort of crazy Szerbiak-like run in the NCAAs. Which, to appease the basketball gods, I hasten to add I am not at all expecting.

[jerseyhoya34]

The Voice had a quote from BB that said that he worked with the coaches this past week on his FT technique. It looks like that help paid off.

[Fan Of The Game]

JerseyHoya34 said:

The Voice had a quote from BB that said that he worked with the coaches this past week on his FT technique. It looks like that help paid off.

Thanks Jersey. I was curious as to what led to the change in style.