Walz on Faris -- Say what?

[tomcat]

I did a double-take when I read the last paragraph of an Altavilla blog:

"Walz said he told his kids to let Kelly Faris take as many shots as she wanted. He said he told Geno at practice that he could let Kelly Faris shoot as much as she wanted. Faris was 1 of 7."

Under what circumstances would it be a good idea for a coach to tell a reporter who covers the opposing team that he thinks one of that team's players cannot shoot for beans and what's more, he told that to the opposing coach? And when he says such a thing, what's his tone of voice: mocking? matter-of-fact?

Or have I completely misinterpreted what's written here?

Not that any of it's untrue. On her best night, Kelly generally gets 2-3 baskets, but contributes in a ton of other ways. But for a coach to single out one player and tell her coach that he was, in effect, daring her to shoot, seems a little strange to me, a little, well, tasteless.

Anyway, if that's what he did, he won the bet, with Kelly's 1-7 shooting. He still lost the game.

 

[Wonkster]

.
Walz tried the same tactic against Tiffany Hayes her freshman year and got his eyebrows singed. He's batting .500 now.
.

 

[meyers7]

Under what circumstances would it be a good idea for a coach to tell a reporter who covers the opposing team that he thinks one of that team's players cannot shoot for beans and what's more, he told that to the opposing coach? And when he says such a thing, what's his tone of voice: mocking? matter-of-fact?

Or have I completely misinterpreted what's written here?

Not that any of it's untrue. On her best night, Kelly generally gets 2-3 baskets, but contributes in a ton of other ways. But for a coach to single out one player and tell her coach that he was, in effect, daring her to shoot, seems a little strange to me, a little, well, tasteless.

In one of his press conferences, Walz talked about having to pick your poison with UCONN. They are so good, you can't really cover everyone. He even talked about how he told his players not to rush out on Faris. One player did early on (and Faris blew by her) and he yanked her for not following the game plan.

I don't think he meant it so much as disrespect, just he had to take a chance on something. I think both Walz and Geno knew what the game plan would be going in (although I think Geno thought he would get the calls from the refs).

 

[UConnCat]

I don't think Walz said anything about Faris that Geno hasn't said directly to Kelly. I feel certain that Geno has told Kelly that she should expect to get many more open shots than her teammates. It's up to Kelly to make teams pay for that defense; unfortunately, but for a few games (e.g., ND and Duke last year), she hasn't been able to do that.

 

[NCorBust]

I did a double-take when I read the last paragraph of an Altavilla blog:
Under what circumstances would it be a good idea for a coach to tell a reporter who covers the opposing team that he thinks one of that team's players cannot shoot for beans and what's more, he told that to the opposing coach? And when he says such a thing, what's his tone of voice: mocking? matter-of-fact?

Walz is a Joe Friday affectionado. "The facts, Just the facts."

 

[UcMiami]

Yeah I think this is 'no news' - and it isn't a trade secret either, a lot of teams we play have taken that approach. I one interesting piece was the half time talk telling players he would yank anyone that ran out at her, and then following upon it.
And when you hear the CD recap - she is always talking about the player that makes five threes against us, when she had only made two previously - that is scouting and Uconn does the same sort of thing.

 

[JS]

I don't think Walz said anything about Faris that Geno hasn't said directly to Kelly. I feel certain that Geno has told Kelly that she should expect to get many more open shots than her teammates. It's up to Kelly to make teams pay for that defense; unfortunately, but for a few games (e.g., ND and Duke last year), she hasn't been able to do that.

Maybe Walz was being sly. Maybe he told Geno in advance because he was hoping Geno would say something to Kelly that'd put extra pressure on her if she had enough time to think about it.

 

[vtcwbuff]

If you are an oposing coach trying to defend one of the better 3 point back courts in the country and still be able to double in the paint, who do you chose to leave open?

Hayes .423, 30 made
Doty .400 , 30 made
Hartley .365, 42 made
Faris .296, 16 made

Besides, Walz may have gotten the idea from Geno since he has mentioned several times that teams are choosing to leave Faris open and she has not been able to take advantage of that.

 

[Timeout]

Without Dennis Rodman, not so many championships for the dah bulls and Kelly is way easier on the eyes! And you know what Walz, we won't worry too much about Angel M. - she'll self-destruct in the 4th quarter - lol.

 

[rington]

If you are an oposing coach trying to defend one of the better 3 point back courts in the country and still be able to double in the paint, who do you chose to leave open?

Hayes .423, 30 made
Doty .400 , 30 made
Hartley .365, 42 made
Faris .296, 16 made

Besides, Walz may have gotten the idea from Geno since he has mentioned several times that teams are choosing to leave Faris open and she has not been able to take advantage of that.

It's true. I think the whole country knows it. Sure wish she could shoot it. I know she helps in so many other ways, but sometimes it feels as if they are playing offense with only 4 people.
Who will Walz leave open on Feb. 20th against ND? Mallory?

 

[Alydar]

In the interview I saw, Walz said they were leaving both Doty and Faris open to shut down Hartley and Lewis. He admitted that Doty burned him. I also found interesting his comment that he asked his team to choose between a gameplan that would prevent a 40 point blowout or one that gave them a chance to win. The players chose the latter option. That would explain the game tactics they employed and further enhances the value of Doty. Had she not made her shots the Cards could have easily won.​

 

[Timeout]

I wonder if Geno could somehow find a way of turning this negative into a posi...... - or maybe neutralize this negative. Short of Kelly suddenly making all her shots, what can Geno do to make the opponent pay? I'm only half joking. Can Kelly be moved some how in the half court, and probably more than just setting more screens, or expending too much energy in trying to get open, that can distract the defense and would allow a better shooter to take the shot. Maybe I'm believing too much in magic.

 

[pasteurize]

I guess taking the defense off of who he feels is the team's worst offensive player in order to help defend a more productive offensive player is a strategy of his that he's quite vocal about.

I remember a few years back, he was yelling to his team to stop guarding Heather Zurich (Rutgers) because he wasn't concerned with her putting up many points. The other 4 players on the court were Epiphanny Prince, Essence Carson, Matee Ajavon, and Kia Vaughn.

 

[magic]

I did a double-take when I read the last paragraph of an Altavilla blog:

"Walz said he told his kids to let Kelly Faris take as many shots as she wanted. He said he told Geno at practice that he could let Kelly Faris shoot as much as she wanted. Faris was 1 of 7."

Under what circumstances would it be a good idea for a coach to tell a reporter who covers the opposing team that he thinks one of that team's players cannot shoot for beans and what's more, he told that to the opposing coach? And when he says such a thing, what's his tone of voice: mocking? matter-of-fact?

Or have I completely misinterpreted what's written here?

Not that any of it's untrue. On her best night, Kelly generally gets 2-3 baskets, but contributes in a ton of other ways. But for a coach to single out one player and tell her coach that he was, in effect, daring her to shoot, seems a little strange to me, a little, well, tasteless.

Anyway, if that's what he did, he won the bet, with Kelly's 1-7 shooting. He still lost the game.

Just in case you've been on mars, that's what every coach has been telling their team to do. Kelly does a lot of things , but she is the weakest offensive player in the lineup. Waltz was just open about , probably because of his relationship w/ Geno.

 

[vtcwbuff]

"Can Kelly be moved some how in the half court, and probably more than just setting more screens, or expending too much energy in trying to get open, that can distract the defense and would allow a better shooter to take the shot."

I don't think Auriemma is going to mess with Faris much. It's not like she's incapable of scoring or doesn't score at all she's just the lowest percentage shooter. She's actually scored more points than Doty. Their shooting percentages and PPG numbers are pretty much the same although obviously Doty is the better 3 point shooter.
The only time more offensive production from Faris is needed is when two of the scorers (Hates, Hartley and Lewis) are having an off night.

 

[Kevin G]

I don't think it was a malicious or negative intent on Walz's behalf. He would be PRIVILEGED to have her on his team. She can show them a thing or two on teamwork and passing!!

 

[jennyo70]

Absolutely no disrespect meant to Farris or doty in employing this strategy. It was more about picking your poison as another poster above mentioned. It worked on Farris, Doty killed us.

If we would have hit our FT and slowed Doty down a little offensively, this game would have had a different outcome, on this particular night. I have no illusions this performance could be repeated even on a neutral court, let alone during BEast tourney.
Our crowd absolutely affected the game. It was a rowdy good time( from my perspective).

Someone on a different thread about the game mentioned booing Geno. That did not happen. The booing was for the refs. On several ocassion.
I know we got a boon of calls going our way early in the second half. I won't rehash the physicality of the game. It was brutal, all night, both ways.

 

[HuskyNan]

Kelly is the new Kalana Greene.

 

[HuskyNan]

Someone on a different thread about the game mentioned booing Geno. That did not happen. The booing was for the refs.

The TV announcers said that Geno was boo'd when he was introduced before the game. They went on to say Geno turned and faced the crowd and gave a "Who, me?", palms up type of gesture. They actually talked about it for a minute or so.

 

[jennyo70]

The TV announcers said that Geno was boo'd when he was introduced before the game. They went on to say Geno turned and faced the crowd and gave a "Who, me?", palms up type of gesture. They actually talked about it for a minute or so.

Wow.
I hate that.
I sit behind our bench, so, I did not see Geno come out, nor did I hear the booing. That is disappointing to have come from our fan base. He is a brilliant coach. I know we as a fans get tired of losing to the Huskies, but, hard to imagine booing a guy for being great at what he does.
I apologize for the poor etiquette of my fellow fans. I can not imagine such behavior towards one of the best in the game. It didn't come from this fan of the game!

 

[bruinbball]

Kelly is the new Kalana Greene.

Let's hope she has a Kalana like senior year. If so, UConn goes undefeated...no questions.

 

[HuskyNan]

I apologize for the poor etiquette of my fellow fans. I can not imagine such behavior towards one of the best in the game. It didn't come from this fan of the game!

I'm sure no one here holds you or most other fans responsible. I imagine it was the students booing. No one on the Boneyard has made a big deal about it because it does happen.

In 2004, Tennessee fans famously boo'd Geno and Diana Taurasi. In fact, they boo'd whenever Diana touched the ball. That was the genesis of one of Diana's funniest lines. Upon being asked about the Tenn fans' actions, Diana said, " Booing? I thought they were mooing". Of course, she was in good humor because she had just torched the LVs for 18 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists

 

[tomcat]

I don't think Walz said anything about Faris that Geno hasn't said directly to Kelly. I feel certain that Geno has told Kelly that she should expect to get many more open shots than her teammates. It's up to Kelly to make teams pay for that defense; unfortunately, but for a few games (e.g., ND and Duke last year), she hasn't been able to do that.

Agreed. But there's a huge difference between your coach saying that to you and , eventually, to local media, and an opposing coach saying it. Until Walz becomes a UConn assistant coach, I'll think, IMHO, you can tell your players to give Faris all the room in the world, but it's really inappropriate to say publicly.

 

[tomcat]

Just in case you've been on mars, that's what every coach has been telling their team to do. Kelly does a lot of things , but she is the weakest offensive player in the lineup. Waltz was just open about , probably because of his relationship w/ Geno.

Hey, folks, please understand what I was saying and what I was not saying.

1. Of course most of the coaches tell their players to do that. It's smart basketball unless Faris can prove you wrong, which she did not do against LV. BUT...
2. ...There is a difference between doing it and talking about it with the media. I don't know many basketball coaches who feel the need to critique one of the opponents' players in quite that negative a way. It serves no useful purpose, either for his team or for the UConn players in question. And surely he was not trying to give Kelly any future motivation. So why do it, except to say something that you really shouldn't say?
3. And if a reporter asks, you say "Sure, we were in a position to lay off Faris, who we noticed isn't been making shots lately. Some nights that works. This wa s ne of them." Simple, honest, modest (which you should be after a loss) and classy, unlike what Walz said.

 

[Bestiarius]

Agreed. But there's a huge difference between your coach saying that to you and , eventually, to local media, and an opposing coach saying it. Until Walz becomes a UConn assistant coach, I'll think, IMHO, you can tell your players to give Faris all the room in the world, but it's really inappropriate to say publicly.

Here's the way I feel about it: If you have nothing nice to say - come sit by me. I don't want to hear any Alphonse & Gaston routines. Open and honest is what I like. What Walz said was not mean. It was honest and his best shot at winning. Faris' ego will survive and she knows we love her.