Struggling with free throws, Wofford's Filewich turns to granny-style — with help from Rick Barry
LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Kyler Filewich doesn't go to the free-throw line looking for style points, just those that count on the scoreboard for Wofford.
That's why the 6-foot-9 center from Winnipeg, Manitoba, asked coaches for tips, leading him to switch from the traditional shot attempt to a throwback style.
Granny-style. Underhand toss. Or the shot that Basketball Hall of Fame member Rick Barry turned into an art form. Barry even came to Spartanburg, South Carolina, to give Filewich some personal tutoring. While the numbers say Filewich has continued to struggle from the free-throw line, he says his confidence has grown.
“I haven’t necessarily always had the success that I wanted,” Filewich said Wednesday. “But I feel like I’m pretty confident in it. When I needed to, (about) five minutes left in the SoCon title ... I was able to step up and make two when it mattered.”
Filewich's form will be on display for a national audience Thursday night when Wofford (19-15) of the Southern Conference plays No. 2 seed Tennessee (27-7) in the NCAA Tournament's Midwest Region on Thursday night.
Wofford coach Dwight Perry said Filewich asked for help improving his success rate on foul shots, which was 31.6% last season. Assistant Ty Anderson is friends with one of Barry's sons and reached out.
“People don’t realize Rick Barry is the best free-throw shooter statistically in NBA history. So to your point, if you’re going to learn from somebody, you definitely want to learn from the best,” Perry said.
Barry came to the school in Spartanburg, South Carolina, for the kind of teaching session that usually happens in the offseason.
“Rick Barry graciously came and gave his wisdom and kind of gave some pointers,” Perry said. “We were very fortunate. It was a couple of days in which they did that in the middle of the season.”
Filewich switched to granny style around the beginning of February and found a measure of success, going 4 for 6 and 6 for 10 from the line in consecutive games that month. However, he remains the Terriers' worst free-throw shooter at 31.8%.
In that conference title game, he went 3 of 7 from the line. He was 1 of 5 before he sank two with 5:32 remaining to give the Terriers a five-point lead.
Filewich wasn't the only Wofford player to take something away from Barry's visit. Filewich has been the most obvious thanks to social media with his grip and underhand toss to the basket.
“It’s obviously something that’s atypical in today’s day and age,” Perry said. “But to Kyler’s credit, he’s been fully bought in, and I think it’s allowed him to do what we wanted it to do, was to keep him being confident and aggressive on both sides of the floor.”
Filewich's confidence is growing each time he practices shooting like Barry.
“I know I can make ’em,” Filewich said. “I make them at a high clip in practice. It was great working with Rick Barry. I’m super thankful for him taking his time out to show me how it’s done and kind of taking on the mindset of doing whatever it takes to win.”
___
AP March Madness bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-mens-bracket and coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here.
-
Tennessee's all time college basketball results versus Wofford
A look at the all time men's basketball series between the Vols and WoffordYahoo Sports - 1d -
Wofford's all time college basketball results in NCAA Tournament
A look at Wofford's all time basketball game results in the NCAA Tournament.Yahoo Sports - 17h -
Logansport referee Scott to be honored by Hall of Fame
Rick Scott is continuing an impressive run of referees with Logansport ties being recognized by the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame. Scott is being honored as one of the 2025 Men’s Center Circle ...Yahoo Sports - 4d -
Tennessee versus Wofford basketball March Madness time, TV details in NCAA Tournament
A look at television and game information for Tennessee's first-round basketball matchup in the NCAA Tournament against Wofford.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
This hedge-fund-style ETF is aimed at investors looking to diversify in volatile markets. Here’s what to look for.
Markets have been volatile this year, with some investors turning to alternative strategies for diversification as those increasingly become available to the masses.MarketWatch - 6d -
Texas A&M 'want to continue to attack downhill and get to the line' per senior Wade Taylor
"That's how we want to go about our offense, to go to the free throw line and get makes. We want to continue to attack downhill and get to the line."Yahoo Sports - 5d -
Score predictions for Tennessee versus Wofford March Madness college basketball game
Vols Wire provides score predictions for the Tennessee-Wofford basketball game in the NCAA Tournament first round.Yahoo Sports - 12h -
Lakota Athletic Hall of Fame will induct nine members in 2025 class
Nine new members of the Lakota Athletic Hall of Fame will be inducted on April 10.Yahoo Sports - 11h -
Wofford head coach Dwight Perry set for Rupp Arena return in NCAA Tournament
Former Kentucky player Dwight Perry will return to Rupp Arena as Wofford's head coach against Tennessee basketball.Yahoo Sports - 11h
More from Yahoo Sports
-
The Long Count: Jack Dempsey, Gene Tunney and the boxing controversy that defined an era
It was the biggest boxing match the world of 1927 had ever seen. It ended in one of the sport’s greatest controversies.Yahoo Sports - 23m -
How many points did Zach Edey score tonight? Grizzlies vs Blazers box score
Here's how Zach Edey fared in his 54th NBA game for the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night against the Portland Trail Blazers.Yahoo Sports - 28m -
Trail Blazers beat Grizzlies 115-99 behind big game from Avdija
Deni Avdija had 31 points, 16 rebounds and eight assists to lead the Portland Trail Blazers to a 115-99 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night. Anfernee Simons added 22 points for ...Yahoo Sports - 28m -
Hot Board: Who might Texas Longhorns hire to replace Rodney Terry as basketball coach
With Rodney Terry reportedly out as Texas Longhorns Men's Basketball Coach, we take a look at the possible replacements in our Hot Board.Yahoo Sports - 38m -
Luka Doncic's hot first quarter sparks Lakers to win over short-handed Nuggets
Luka Doncic scored 21 points in the first quarter to help the Lakers beat the injury depleted Denver Nuggets Wednesday at Crypto.com Arena.Yahoo Sports - 40m
More in Sports
-
The Long Count: Jack Dempsey, Gene Tunney and the boxing controversy that defined an era
It was the biggest boxing match the world of 1927 had ever seen. It ended in one of the sport’s greatest controversies.Yahoo Sports - 23m -
USMNT wild cards who can fill vets' boots in Nations League
With three first-choice players dropping out, these unheralded players are primed for minutes.ESPN - 23m -
How many points did Zach Edey score tonight? Grizzlies vs Blazers box score
Here's how Zach Edey fared in his 54th NBA game for the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night against the Portland Trail Blazers.Yahoo Sports - 28m -
Trail Blazers beat Grizzlies 115-99 behind big game from Avdija
Deni Avdija had 31 points, 16 rebounds and eight assists to lead the Portland Trail Blazers to a 115-99 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night. Anfernee Simons added 22 points for ...Yahoo Sports - 28m -
Hot Board: Who might Texas Longhorns hire to replace Rodney Terry as basketball coach
With Rodney Terry reportedly out as Texas Longhorns Men's Basketball Coach, we take a look at the possible replacements in our Hot Board.Yahoo Sports - 38m