As the final buzzer echoed through the arena, NYU women’s basketball head coach Meg Barber stood on the sidelines, her sharp gaze fixed on the court. The Violets had just dominated the University of Chicago in an 80-58 victory, marking their 50th consecutive win — a milestone that not only extended the nation’s longest active winning streak but also secured the ninth-longest in NCAA history. Yet Barber’s expression wasn’t one of overwhelming excitement. For her, maintaining the streak is not about numbers — it is about staying focused on the process.
“What I’m proud of is that the streak represents stacking together nights where we go 1-0,” Barber said in an interview with WSN. “Game day is just about game day. It’s not about a streak, and it’s not about the next game coming up — it’s about staying locked in on the task at hand.”
A Violet through and through
Barber’s path to coaching success started long before she ever picked up a clipboard. A 2002 NYU graduate, she was a standout player for the Violets, serving as captain her senior year and finishing her career ranked 10th on the program’s all-time scoring list with 1,228 points. She earned First Team All-UAA honors twice and was named First Team All-ECAC in 2002. Barber helped guide NYU to multiple postseason appearances, including two NCAA Tournament Elite Eight runs in her college career. Her experiences as a player shaped her coaching style, focusing on discipline, teamwork and strong defensive play.
After earning a Bachelor of Arts in Economics, Barber shifted to coaching, gaining valuable experience through assistant roles at The College of William & Mary and Temple University. At William & Mary, she played a key role in one of the biggest turnarounds in Division I women’s basketball, helping the team improve from a 5-24 record to 20-12. Her time at Temple included back-to-back 20-win seasons and WNIT appearances, further establishing her as a coach who knows how to build competitive programs.
From player to coach
In 2018, Barber returned to her alma mater as the 11th head coach in NYU women’s basketball history. It didn’t take long for her to make an impact. Since taking over, NYU has posted a 119-21 record, won multiple UAA Championships, and earned the NCAA Division III National Championship in the 2023-24 season with an unbeaten 31-0 record. But Barber’s success goes beyond wins and titles — it’s about the culture she’s helped create.
“We call ourselves a sisterhood,” Barber said. “The ‘we’ is greater than ‘me.’ Our senior leadership — Natalie Bruns, Belle Pellecchia, Mary Kate Fahey, Chloe Teter — they are just ultimate team players. All have different roles, and their mentorship of the younger players is why the chemistry is what it is.”
That leadership was especially crucial after the departure of Division III Player of the Year, Morgan Morrison. Despite questions about how the team would adjust without Morrison, NYU didn’t miss a beat. They maintained a winning streak of 20-0 out of the gate, winning in nearly every game. The absence of a single star allowed the team to grow into a more balanced, connected unit — exactly the kind of environment Barber thrives in building.
“Coach Barber has done an incredible job of getting this amazing, talented group of young women together on the same team,” Pellecchia said. “She often reminds us it’s a privilege to still be able to put on a jersey at this age and continues to motivate us everyday in practice and in games.”
The defensive blueprint
If there’s one thing Barber’s teams are known for, it’s defense.
“I’m definitely a defensive-minded coach,” Barber said. “We could be up 20 or 40 points — defense is non-negotiable. It’s about competing on every possession.”
Barber’s defensive approach is clear from the opening tip. The Violets run an aggressive full-court press, with guards quick to switch and apply pressure on the perimeter. This defensive scheme has put NYU at the top of the UAA in defensive stats. As of the 2024-25 season, the Violets lead the UAA in points allowed per game, holding opponents to just 49.3 points. They also rank first in steals, averaging 14.6 per game, and have a positive turnover margin of 11.6 — proof that Barber’s defensive game plan is working.
This defense doesn’t just shut down opponents, it jumpstarts NYU’s offense. The high-pressure system allows Pellecchia to thrive in transition, turning turnovers into fast-break points and helping the team convert defensive stops into easy baskets. It’s a cycle that keeps opponents on their heels and NYU in control.
From NYU to Team USA
Barber’s coaching impact isn’t limited to NYU. Just last week, she was named USA Basketball 5-on-5 Junior Coach of the Year after leading the U17 women’s national team to an undefeated run and a gold medal at the 2024 FIBA U17 World Cup.
“I was shocked to get a call from USA Basketball — just coaching the team, let alone winning an award, was an incredible honor,” Barber told WSN. “Representing the United States on the world stage was a once-in-a-lifetime moment, something I never imagined. I think I grew a lot as a coach from it, and I’ve been able to be a better coach for this team because of that experience.”
Her time with Team USA helped her develop new leadership skills and showed her the importance of being flexible with her coaching style, lessons that have carried over into NYU’s success this season.
Staying focused
As the Violets continue their impressive run, Barber isn’t getting caught up in the hype.
“To me, it’s about staying locked in on the task at hand,” Barber said. “It’s not about the streak or the next championship. It’s about being present, competing and focusing on the process every single day.”
Under coach Meg Barber’s leadership, NYU women’s basketball has done more than win games — they’ve built a program centered on teamwork and a culture that will last long after the streak is over. And as long as Barber is leading the way, NYU’s future looks as strong as ever.
Contact Brian Sanchez at [email protected].
