In an in-depth interview, Princeton associate head coach Brett MacConnell talks about filling in for an ill Mitch Henderson during Princeton’s win at Dartmouth last weekend, the Tigers’ many personnel changes this season, another Ivy Defensive Player of the Year-caliber campaign for Myles Stephens and why Jaelin Llewellyn could be a future Ivy Defensive Player of the Year, Richmond Aririguzoh’s development and impact guarding the post, his own path to becoming associate head coach and much more:
Brett MacConnell
Princeton ekes past Dartmouth, bows to Harvard
With a record of 7-3, the Tigers headed to New England for the Dartmouth-Harvard trip needing a win on the weekend to punch its ticket to Ivy Madness. The fact that the Tigers’ record against their four remaining opponents contained all three of those losses and only one of the wins was a matter of grave concern to the Tiger staff. The lone win was a 69-68 nail-biter in Jadwin against the Friday foe, Dartmouth’s Big Green.
The staff itself suffered an unexpected loss when its head coach was unable to answer the bell in Hanover. Mitch Henderson was forced to scurry from the floor just prior to tip-off, suffering from what we shall describe as “flu-like symptoms.”
ICYMI: Catching up on the Ivy offseason
With teams a few short weeks away from actual games, here is a collection of off-season stories to catch up on before the start of the 2018-2019 season.
Q&A with Princeton assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Brett MacConnell
Ivy Hoops Online’s Richard Kent caught up with Brett MacConnell, an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for Princeton. He is a Rutgers graduate and a long-time New Jersey resident.
Ivy Hoops Online: Tell us your thoughts about this most recent Princeton-Penn game?
Brett MacConnell: Penn was tougher. They dominated the paint. (Ryan) Betley wasn’t a surprise. We couldn’t get big stops at the end. We are a young team with some new guys.
Inside Ivy Hoops – Jan. 4, 2018
Introducing Ivy Hoops Online’s new podcast Inside Ivy Hoops, hosted by Brett Franklin and Jill Glessner, who also serve as the voices of Dartmouth basketball. Each week during conference play through the end of the 2017-18 season, Inside Ivy Hoops will feature guests from around the Ivy hoops landscape, broadcasting just how special and fascinating the people and storylines are that comprise Ivy League basketball on both the women’s and men’s sides.
Joining Jill and Brett for episode one on Thursday were Princeton men’s assistant coach Brett MacConnell, Penn men’s assistant coach Ira Bowman, Harvard women’s head coach Kathy Delaney-Smith and Dartmouth women’s head coach Belle Koclanes.
Intro – Brett Franklin and Jill Glessner:
Brett MacConnell:
Ira Bowman:
Kathy Delaney-Smith:
Belle Koclanes: