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The throes of shooting free throws

Just click on the 2nd picture it shows in this article where Plaisted is trying to shoot a free throw and you'll know WHY Trent only makes around 50%.

Awful form!

You don't shoot free throws from the side of your ear for crying out loud! Who in the world teaches these guys how to shoot anyways?

Get that guy to BYU who is a free throw coach and set the world record for most consecutive free throws.

Trent needs some serious help.

Stu Morrill is a great coach, but I wonder how well he'd improve a player like Plaisted, Shaquille and other big men that struggle with free throws. Plaisted had better form last year but shot a worse percentage, so maybe pure form isn't the answer for him. I struggled with free throw shooting. The only thing I found that helped was to be in terrific shape and practice tons of free throws at every opportunity. Plaisted's 1 for 10 against UNLV sure didn't help BYU's conference free throw %.

Who cares about free throws? Nobody. At least not the NBA. The fact that Trent Plaisted shoots 50% is irrelevant and the fact the Jaycee Carroll is number 2 in the nation at 92% is also irrelevant. The fact is Trent Plaisted has a better chance at the NBA than Jaycee Carroll will ever have.

Rick Barry shot underhanded and he was one of the best. JT's feet are set in a very awkward way when shooting free throws and he has a good percentage. I think it is all in your head. And free throws are important. MWC games particularly on the road will likely be decided by a few points and free throws can easily be those points. Also, I would hate to be a Cummard or JT or someone else who hits their free throws partnered on that drill with Plaisted or another of our big guys who consistently throw up bricks from the line.

Free throws, are you serious about it not mattering? For the elete players in the NBA poor free throw shooting can be overlooked. For a player like Plaisted he must be able to hit his free throws if he wants any shot at all. He is not big enough to play inside and obviously can't hit anything outside of 12 feet. As for Jaycee's chances; they are as good or better than Plaisted. Carroll will not be outworked (made over 20,000 shots in the off season), he is constantly moving on the court and his shooting form is perfect. The only thing holding him back would be his size, however when you are a scorer size can be over looked (Steve Kerr, Jeff Hornacek, Jon Berry, John Paxon, etc).

100% agreed. Plaisted will not make it in the NBA because he is too small to play the 4 or the 5 unless he puts on another 30 pounds of muscle. And to play the 3 he needs an outside shot and does not have it. JC will get his shot just like J.J. Reddick that is on the magic now. Not big in size but lethal from outside. And JC is more athletic than Reddick. JC will have a better shot than any other Aggie in the last 10 years.

RE: Aggie Fans

Sorry for the negative remark about Carroll. (I didn't make it) He's a great guard and fun to watch. I wish BYU had him. If Plaisted makes it in the NBA and Carroll doesn't it'll be because some team needed a big body. Hopefully they'll both play. Best of luck to Aggies, Carroll and Plaisted.

Whoever made that comment has the basketball I.Q. of 0. How many games are won and lost by missed or made free throws. I beleive this article was talking about college basketball and the ability to help your "team" win. I would take Carroll any day of the week over Plaisted. Carroll is the best collegiate basketball player in the state by far. Who cares about their NBA chances. All I care about is that the AGGIES win the WAC and go to the tournament where Carroll's last second foul shooting will help them move to the next round. I will cut BYU fans a slack because I know whoever wrote that comment obviosly doesn't represent your school very well.

We can worry about their NBA chances after they graduate.

I totally agree with poster from 1:31 PM. At the end of the game, I'll take JC, at the beginning of the game, I'll take JC and anywhere in between I'll take him. People double team him, set their defense up to stop/slow him down. Doesnt work because he has worked so hard to alter his game and become a multidimensional player. As a freshman he was a spot up shooter, but since has been able to drive to the basket, pass, rebound. He is a bit small but by a mile better than Mr. Plaisted. Start shooting free-throws after practice, that might help. Talent alone wont get you that far anymore.