Vince Brooks

Follower of Jesus, husband to Stephanie, dad to Mason & Jada, teacher & basketball coach, fan of @IUHoosiers. Acts 20:24

[#1 RESPECTABLE ADAM, CONFETTI WINNER @B89Adam]

Wow!!! Pack the Rock! #iufb #neverdaunted 🦬🪨🦬🪨🦬🪨🦬

[Southmont Basketball @SouthmontHoops]

Nothing better than starting summer off with basketball camp! Thanks to all our campers for coming out and getting better!

[Tony Adragna @CoachAdragna]

I've been pretty quiet on the shot clock being voted down in Indiana because I know it's a delicate topic with a lot of moving parts.

But I was one of the 68% of coaches who voted FOR the shot clock.

To me, that's important.

The people with the closest pulse on the game, the people in gyms every single day teaching players, building programs, studying film, and understanding what today's players actually need, overwhelmingly said yes. Yet somehow, 17 of the 18 administrators voted against it.

The implementation costs are not lost on me. I understand smaller schools have concerns. But I also think the "$10,000 per school" number being floated around is pretty inflated. I could go online right now and buy large digital countdown clocks for around $100. Are they perfect? No. But from a problem-solving standpoint, there are absolutely ways to make this more affordable than people are making it out to be.

So why did I vote yes?

Because I think a shot clock forces better basketball habits.

It forces coaches to teach decision-making, advantage basketball, reading defenses, pace, timing, and offensive organization. It reduces some of the over-controlling "joystick coaching" where every possession is dictated from the sideline for 90 seconds.

All of that matters for player development and basketball IQ.

I know the argument always gets brought up that only a tiny percentage of high school players will play college basketball, and even fewer will play professionally. That's true.

But how many WANT to play at the next level?

I think that's the more important question.

Are we helping prepare players for what modern basketball actually looks like? That shouldn't be the only factor in the decision, but I do think it should matter.

The IHSAA noted that there are very few possessions lasting over 35 seconds in Indiana high school basketball.

I only have anecdotal evidence from my own season, but I would argue 25-30% of possessions in our games lasted longer than that. And once you get into end-of-quarter and end-of-game situations, that number skyrockets.

If the clock gets under a minute, teams hold for the last shot. Mine included.

Ends of games become foul-fests trying to extend possessions, and I honestly think it creates a worse product a lot of the time.

Meanwhile, much of the rest of the basketball world is using a shot clock, starting as young as 12 years old, because they understand it accelerates skill development, spacing, decision-making, and the feel for the game.

And if we're being honest, the rest of the world is catching up to the United States in basketball skill. There are a lot of reasons for that, but their emphasis on skill development is absolutely part of it.

I fully understand there are challenges with implementation.

But 33 other states have figured it out.

At some point, I think the conversation has to shift from finding reasons to say no toward trying to solve for yes.

[Vince Brooks @vincebrooks]

A lie is never kind. "Comforting" is a better adjective.
I like this visual showing a comforting lie might actually produce some initial momentum, but it will not sustain progress.

[William Meijer @williameijer]

An extreme commitment to the truth makes relationships acutely dysfunctional but systems chronically functional (think Elon Musk).

An extreme commitment to kindness makes relationships acutely functional but systems chronically dysfunctional (think Sweden, UK)

[Mike Schumann @ The Daily Hoosier @daily_hoosier]

This young woman is having a historic run on the SAB.

[Vince Brooks @vincebrooks]

Proud of this girl!! 🔴⚪️
And love this @IndianaMBB student section change!

[Indiana Basketball @IndianaMBB]

IU Students, come on down ‼️

We're making some moves in Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.

[Hoosiers Connect @HoosiersConnect]

This Super Bowl is boring.

Here's the 30-minute extended highlights for the National Championship instead.

[Vince Brooks @vincebrooks]

@Rally_House @B89Adam @MasonBrooks02 @JadaQBrooks @stephbrooks1980

[Cockadoodle Boo ♥️ @Cockadoodle_Boo]

OMG IS THAT HER OMG

[Christian Kramer @c_kramer18]

Committed. Go Bulldogs! 🔵⚪️
@ButlerUFootball @CoachSchott_BU @coachklynch @TyceFerrell @xfactorQB @IndianaPreps @SWiltfong_ @KyleNeddenriep @NPCougarFB @CoachBelfiori @JoeCheshire

[Mike Schumann @ The Daily Hoosier @daily_hoosier]

Athletics superiority: IU claims sixth straight Governor's Cup win over Purdue https://t.co/bJIEA94xcx

[Vince Brooks @vincebrooks]

@DePauw_MBB @DePauwAthletics Congrats Kyle!

[Vince Brooks @vincebrooks]

@coach_strine Appreciate your testimony!

[Vince Brooks @vincebrooks]

Incredible example of an elite bench mob!

[jj @JJ__indy]

Is this my favorite highlight video or the year? 🤣

[Big Ten Network @BigTenNetwork]

Happy IU Day to all who celebrate 😊

[Basketball University @UofBasketball]

The Indiana Pacers made 317 passes in game one against MIL, easily the most of any team in the playoffs…

There's a reason their offense looks so smooth. Ball constantly moving and finding the open man. Creative system & high feel players who buy in. Such an impressive squad.

[Hoop Herald @TheHoopHerald]

This shoulder bump is so elite

Young guards, take notes

(Via @AKRileyy5 🎥)

[Vince Brooks @vincebrooks]

@d1father Solid. But the shirt needs to be light blue

[Vince Brooks @vincebrooks]

@JonEveringham @LowKeyScott Congrats!

[Cornerstone Athletics @CUathletics]

Four Men's and Women's @CornerstoneU Basketball players earn CSC Academic All-District Honors.

https://t.co/6nAiXh5J6v

#TogetherweSOAR