Matt Knowling is a Yale senior from Ellington, Conn. who was a unanimous All-Ivy first-team selection last season. Ivy Hoops Online sat down with him to discuss the upcoming season and other issues:
Ivy Hoops Online: Matt, why did you choose Yale?
Matt Knowling: I committed on Sunday of my visit. I had some mid-major offers from Siena and Bryant, interest from BC [Boston College] and received additional Ivy interest from Cornell and Princeton but did not make any other official visits. Yale checked all the boxes. It is close to home with winning basketball great academics and established great contacts after college.
IHO: James Jones talks a lot about playing Yale basketball. What does that mean?
MK: Defend, rebound and share the ball. We see the saying every day in our locker room.
IHO: How is this year’s team different from last year?
MK: We didn’t start the season last year with a lot of experience, as everyone was going into a new role. We didn’t know how to win Ivy games early on. We are very talented this year and have experience. Nick Townsend [a sophomore] has been playing at a high level in practice and our Blue-White game and scrimmage last Saturday. We have another this Saturday against a higher-level team. Hopefully, that and the Vassar game a week from Monday will prepare us for Gonzaga a week from Friday.
IHO: What was your take on the Princeton run in the tourney?
MK: Happy for the Ivy League. Surprised that they beat Arizona, because they were so big, but Missouri was not prepared for them, probably expecting to play Arizona. I was a little bitter at the same time, as we beat them twice during the season. Tough to watch.
IHO: Talk a bit about Northwestern transfer Casey Simmons, who started five or so games at Northwestern as a freshman.
MK: He is so athletic, with experience at the high-major level. He is a great guy to be around. He’s a piece that we needed at the wing. He seems really happy about how close we are as a team and that we don’t see playing basketball as a job.
IHO: How about freshman Samson Aletan?
MK: He brings a lot to the table, like shot-blocking and put-back dunks. He is very coachable. He is my pick for Ivy Rookie of the Year.