Q&A with Yale coach Allison Guth

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Allison Guth has seen her Yale Bulldogs win 14 of their last 19 games dating back to the WBI Tournament in March, which Yale won. Yale does not play again until Jan. 18, when it tips off its conference slate at Brown. (Ivy League Network)
Richard Kent recently caught up with Allison Guth, who is in her fourth season at the helm of the Yale women’s basketball team. Her team is off to a fast 10-5 start this season and won the FAU Holiday Classic Championship in Boca Raton, Fla. Saturday. This interview has been lightly condensed for clarity.

Ivy Hoops Online: Congrats on the recent tourney win in Boca. How does it feel to take home two trophies in 2018 (after winning the WBI championship in March)?

Allison Guth: Feels excellent to take home the hardware in any tournament … We care about setting our sights to the only tournament that matters right now, and that’s the Ivy Tournament.

IHO: St. Louis, one of the teams your team defeated (in the FAU Holiday Classic, is a formidable team, having beaten Virginia earlier in the season. How do you think they would fare in the Ivy?

AG: St. Louis is a special team. They have talent both inside and out and are coached by phenomenal leadership in Lisa Stone and her staff. I believe they would be competitive in our league, just as they are in the A-10.

IHO: I heard that Yale had a few guests at the tourney.

AG: We were so fortunate to have our men’s and women’s swimming teams come to support our young women. It was incredibly special to have 62 fellow student-athletes cheering on their peers. This is what Yale is … a family! I want to thank my good friend Jim Henry (Yale’s men’s and women’s swimming and diving coach) who is a class act on every level.

IHO: Are there any early surprises in the Ivy to date?

AG: I have so much respect for our league, the talented coaches and tremendous student-athletes. I think Harvard’s win over No. 14 Cal is absolutely phenomenal.

IHO: Princeton is playing at a different level in December than November. What are your perceptions of the Tigers?

AG: Princeton is simply different with Bella (Alarie). They have a confidence that they are playing with that exemplifies their program’s tradition that Courtney (Banghart) has worked hard to build. They will prove to be a challenging opponent as always.

IHO: How excited are you and your team to have the Ivy tourney at Yale?

AG: It is special to have the Ivy Tournament at JLA (John J. Lee Amphitheater). However, we have a lot of work ahead of us to earn a spot in the tourney. We are focusing on improving and getting better each day. It is our goal to play and protect our house in March.