MBB: NESCAC

[P'bearfan]

Only 3 FY players for Williams.  Is that a historically small class for the Ephs?

Also, was Edward Flynn injured last year?   Williams has lost a lot but it's always good to add a 6' 10" player to the roster.

[nescac1]

Actually, three has been par for the course of late -- in fact, Williams has only brought in three guys per year for the last four years (three other football recruits joined the program, and a good thing, because otherwise the roster would be REALLY thin).  Put it this way: Amherst, with the addition of the two transfers, has as many hoops recruits in its rising sophomore class as Williams has in its last THREE classes, combined. 

Flynn was injured and missed all of last year.  He would have been a senior, but now has two years of eligibility remaining.  He has had a tough history of injuries that have plagued him throughout his career. 

[amh63]

Rosters starting to show up.  Though I am still involved with Fall sports....I have to admit that as Nov1 approaches...start of formal practices?...I have been checking the Amherst website for roster info.  To see if particular players have picked up size etc.  Last year, there was a pre- season video on a student sponsored pep rally showing a ducking contest and shooting contest of the basketball teams.  In the video, one saw the dunking of players like Green, Kalema and Killian...finishers all.  One saw the promises of FY players like Nabatoff who even attempted Dunking with two balls and Amherst version of "Bill Russell",George who made several dunks after leaping over a seated person.  Both FY players long , but thin.  Other front court players also showed reversed two handed dunks...Sanderson and Levine.  Hope there is a repeat event.  Probably scared the coaches.

[P'bearfan]

Other front court players also showed reversed two handed dunks...Sanderson and Levine.  Hope there is a repeat event.  Probably scared the coaches.

Saw that video last year ....it scared at least a few supporters of other teams as well...though perhaps for different reasons

[toad22]

I should clarify Coach Maker's stance on using your dominant hand. He wants his players to be able to handle the ball and drive hard to the basket with either hand. He believes that for most players, finishing with the dominant hand produces better results. If somebody is ambidextrous, Maker would choose the hand in better position.

[JustAFan]

Off topic a bit but I commend the new story on the D3Hoops home page on the young woman at Mount St. Joseph and the generosity of Hiram College to play its opening game earlier than scheduled. Both schools are a credit to DIII sports.  Hard to keep a dry eye as a parent after watching that video.

http://www.d3hoops.com/notables/2014/10/msj-hiram-move-game-for-lauren-hill

[Old Guy]

I should clarify Coach Maker's stance on using your dominant hand. He wants his players to be able to handle the ball and drive hard to the basket with either hand. He believes that for most players, finishing with the dominant hand produces better results. If somebody is ambidextrous, Maker would choose the hand in better position.

Right.

How many truly ambidextrous shooters have you known? Not many, I bet.

[P'bearfan]

I should clarify Coach Maker's stance on using your dominant hand. He wants his players to be able to handle the ball and drive hard to the basket with either hand. He believes that for most players, finishing with the dominant hand produces better results. If somebody is ambidextrous, Maker would choose the hand in better position.

Right.

How many truly ambidextrous shooters have you known? Not many, I bet.

Sadly, not that many.  And being able to shoot reliably with either hand within 3 ft of the basket is a big advantage as it allows you to protect the ball from the defender.  All it takes it practice - it's not a super power.  Players don't need to pull a Larry Legend and drain a 15 ft running left handed bank shot - in a playoff game.  Just reliably shoot the bunnies with either hand.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I came to basketball pretty late and I was downright awful.  Sometime early in high school I was at some skills camp where we were working on basic stuff.  At the end of everyday we did drills, alternating right and left hands - the guy who finished first in each drill got to stop for the day.  I went home the first day and worked nonstop on my left hand skills - by the end of the week I was winning all the left handed drills (and thus stopping early).  Never underestimate the motivating value of laziness.

I still do most everything better with my left hand basketball-wise (although I do take jumpers righty).

[amh63]

Today's players at all levels  are finishing around the baskets with a "drop shot" ...new shot or new term.?  Aaron Toomey, Tom Killian and even Allen Williamson...who had hops...would drive, move towards the center and throw a shot called a drop shot.  It was had to defend/ block if done well and to me seemed to avoid the left or right hand finish.

[P'bearfan]

Today's players at all levels  are finishing around the baskets with a "drop shot" ...new shot or new term.?  Aaron Toomey, Tom Killian and even Allen Williamson...who had hops...would drive, move towards the center and throw a shot called a drop shot.  It was had to defend/ block if done well and to me seemed to avoid the left or right hand finish.

Agree that the drop shot is effective for a guard or wing player slashing into the lane and it can allow them to avoid the LH/RH finish issue.  However, for anyone playing in the low post that's not an option.

These players need a series of moves to both the left and right side and the ability to shoot with either hand.  If you can only go one way, you're eventually going to be shut down by any half way decent defender. 

For example, spinning away from a tall, athletic defender and shooting a jump hook over them is an effective shot; it's very difficult to block.  But you have to be able to spin either way and then finish with the outside hand.

If you can also pass out of that move – then you're down right dangerous.

[Bucket]

I should clarify Coach Maker's stance on using your dominant hand. He wants his players to be able to handle the ball and drive hard to the basket with either hand. He believes that for most players, finishing with the dominant hand produces better results. If somebody is ambidextrous, Maker would choose the hand in better position.

Right.

How many truly ambidextrous shooters have you known? Not many, I bet.

Reminds me of one of my favorite quotes, courtesy of Charles Shackleford, who played for Jim Valvano @ NC State in the mid 80s: "I can shoot with my left. I can shoot with my right. I'm amphibious."

[Old Guy]

I realize we have just about exhausted this conversation. No question ambidexterity is good to have around the hoop, especially for big guys - nothing like a baby hook, with the off arm to thwart defenders.

Most players, however, have a dominant hand, no matter how much they practice. Maker's approach is pragmatic. He wants the two points. I love it when I see a player make a shot with his non-dominant hand - I'm impressed and look at Young Guy and point to my left hand, and go thumbs up. So the discussion may really reduce to the drive to the hoop, often on the break: finish dammit, make the hoop, bottom line. Often shooting with the dominant near-hand invites the foul. I hate to see players near the basket take a low-percetage shot with the off-hand to avoid contact.

I'm done, I promise.

[madzillagd]

Often shooting with the dominant near-hand invites the foul. I hate to see players near the basket take a low-percentage shot with the off-hand to avoid contact.

This is the part I don't get though, shooting with your dominant hand makes it easier to block the shot.  I was taught early on to shoot with the hand that is furthest away from the defender because then you can use your body and off-hand to shield the ball from the defender.  When you use your dominant hand, you are often bringing the ball to the defender with nothing between the ball and the man.  They no longer have to go through your body to get it because you just served it up to them.  I get the idea though that it doesn't do a whole lot of good to use a weak hand if you can't make the shot. 

[amh63]

Bucket...you raised the bar with that post! . As a long time follower of the Old ACC Basketball...remember the coach and the player.  Superb coach, great player.  Remember the coach in his national Championship win.  Was on the West Coast on business in Silicon Valley, so watched the game on TV.  Remember some of the other players too...local DC area boys.  Can not remember the opponent...remember it was a Big Name BB school...maybe coached by a famous coach.  Sure Ronk would know... ...just kidding around.