Fundamentally sound and talent aren’t necessarily the same, if I had to choose one in a player, fundamentals win in the end. If you’ve ever questioned the importance of fundamentals, watching the 2024 NCAA tournament should have made their importance undeniable. Not only have we had the Buffalo Wild Wings buffalo demonstrating how to ‘BOX OUT’, we’ve also seen numerous potential Cinderella teams lose in heart breaking fashion due to fundamentals. I hope that all of the young ballers out there can appreciate what they’ve witnessed but in case they missed it, I’m going to lay out a few examples from this year’s tournament.
#12 Grand Canyon vs #4 Alabama (2nd round)
After Grand Canyon University pulled off the predictable 12-5 upset, shooting 78% from the free throw line with 10 total assists, they played the University of Alabama in the round of 32. In the end, Alabama won this game by 11 points but it was a closer game than the score shows. We can look at 3-point percentage and rebounding down the stretch, which were important, but there is another key difference.
The difference between Grand Canyon winning and losing was in 2 stats, 5 total assists and 62% from the free throw line. Grand Canyon left a total of 14 points off the board from the free throw line. Picking up 5 to 6 points from free throws and making few extra passes would have created a much different game than we witnessed.
#13 Samford vs #4 Kansas
This first round game ended in a 93-89 win for the Kansas Jayhawks but Samford was in this game from the start and had their opportunities to win. Samford put up 23 total assists for this game and had 16 made 3 pointers. The difference came at the free throw line. Samford shot 57% from the line, leaving a total of 10 points off the board. Make ½ of the missed free throws and they win.
#9 Texas A&M vs #1 Houston
Texas A&M had an opportunity to upset # 1 Houston in a game that went to overtime. These teams shot a combined 75 free throws! Making and missing at the line was a major difference in this game. Texas A&M left 16 points off the board, shooting 64% from line while Houston shot 70%. Considering A&M shot 45 free throws, shooting equal to Houston (70%) would have won the game. Considering Houston’s 18-9 assist advantage, A&M could easily still be dancing either from a few extra passes or shooting a little better at the foul line.
The teams still playing in the Sweet 16 have in common that they all excel at the fundamentals of the game. There are many examples of their excellence in these areas through the first 2 rounds but that’s mostly what we expect considering they earned top seeds in the tournament – except North Carolina State University.
#11 North Carolina State University
Still going in the sweet 16 due primarily to their ability to excel at the fundamentals. First round #6 Texas Tech shot 22% on 31 shots from the 3-point line leaving the door open, NCSU took care of business with 15 assists and 81% from the free throw line. Second round game vs Oakland, NCSU put together another mastery performance with 19 assists and 75% from the free throw line.
Taking care of the fundamentals has allowed NCSU to keep playing into the Sweet 16. There are more fundamental aspects that play into winning and losing a basketball game. Rebounding and turnovers are a couple of big ones. However, being a strong free throw shooter and willing to attack and create for others is becoming more and more important in today’s game as the reliance on the 3-point shot has increased dramatically.
To the Up and Comers – Fundamentals Win!
Little Ballers, my advice to you is to SHOOT A LOT OF FREE THROWS! As you develop your shot, become a GREAT free throw shooter. Don’t be good, be great! They are free points, take them all! Also, become a great passer! It’s important to be able to score but it’s equally as important to become a great passer.
To be great, drill the fundamentals every time you step on the court. No matter how good you think you are or how good people tell you that you are, drill the fundamentals. MJ or Kobe didn’t achieve their level of greatness without being maniacal about the fundamentals.
BtL
Subscribe to our email list to get our content direct to your inbox!
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
To learn more about Ball to Life and our mission, click here.
