Ivy Hoops Online recently caught up with Yale junior forward Nick Townsend. The Chappaqua, N.Y. native is coming off a career-high 25-point performance in a win at Cornell on Saturday:
Ivy Hoops Online: Rarely has a player in the Ivy or any place improved as dramatically over six months. What happened?
Nick Townsend: I didn’t do anything especially different. A natural progression. Coaches have done a great job. [I] worked out a ton over the summer.
IHO: How would you compare this team with last year?
NT: A new challenge. When you lose big pieces, we knew it would be an adjustment period.
IHO: What was the toughest gym to compete in this year?
NT: It has to be Purdue (Mackey Arena). The atmosphere was special.
IHO: What did you learn about the team out of conference?
NT: I think that we could be very good if firing on all cylinders.
IHO: What was the impact of losing (2023-24 All-Ivy first-teamer Danny) Wolf [to Michigan]?
NT: Tough to see him go. I came in with him as a freshman. We knew it was going to be a challenge. Everyone stepped-up.
IHO: Talk about your family athletic lineage.
NT: My mom threw shot put at Harvard and my brother (Matt played basketball at Yale) has been to a few games now that his family is in Boston.
IHO: Talk about the [Ivy] League this year.
NT: [There’s] a lot more talent than people give it credit for. A lot of teams are very competitive.
IHO: Talk about your first-years (Riley Fox, Isaac Celiscar, Jordan Brathwaite).
NT: Super-talented class. All hard-working. They have a great approach, always positive.