[pfreivald]

As you brainstorm, it's also worth noting that robots don't have to do things the way that humans do things. To aim at the target, you don't have to be able to see the target, you just have to know where it is in relation to the robot (angle, distance, height, the last of which is constant for any given basket).

Astute students could devise a way, for example, to use the geometry of floor lines (detected with an array of color sensors) to line up shots from particular points on the field, wherein the robot will be in perfect position for nuthin'-but-net.

(Please note that I'm not necessarily advocating that as the ideal method to line up shots -- I'm just trying to give kids a prod in the alternative-functionality direction.)