After a two-game road trip, the Yeshiva University Maccabees return home to the Max Stern Athletic Center for a crucial Wednesday night matchup against the Maritime College Privateers. With both teams ranked in the top four of the Skyline Conference, this is a must-win battle with major playoff implications. The Macs (11-8, 8-2 Skyline) are coming off a 92-70 rout at the US Merchant Marine Academy on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Privateers (13-6, 9-1 Skyline) will look to rebound vigorously from their first Skyline conference loss of the season to Sarah Lawrence on Saturday.
Defensively, the Privateers are the second best team in the conference, giving up just 65.1 points per game. They will be looking to stop the Macs’ offense, which has been the best in the Skyline so far this year - averaging 75.5 points per game. The Macs’ offense thrived on Sunday, despite being without star player Max Zakheim (ankle), as Zevi Samet led the Macs with 33 points, and Luke Cronin scored a career-high 20 points. They also lead the conference in field goal percentage (45.8%) and free-throw shooting percentage (76.7%). The Macs’ offense will look to continue their surge, especially with Zakheim’s return to the lineup tonight.
In the Privateers’ 67-60 loss to Sarah Lawrence, they were led by Theo Noble, who scored 20 points, while Jake Devaney and Tyler Anderson had 11 each. They come into tonight’s matchup averaging 70.8 points per game - good for 5th in the conference - and shooting 41.3% from the floor.
Max Zakheim and the Macs face their biggest threat to their Skyline title aspirations tonight, when they host Maritime. (Photo Credit: Akiva Poppers/MacsLive)
Shoot the Ball:
The Macs lead the Skyline with a field goal percentage of 45.8%. They will look to shoot often and utilize their signature motion offense against Maritime’s man defense, especially with the return of Zakheim, their floor general. Look for the Macs to get the ball to Samet, who has been averaging 20.8 points per game - good enough for the second most in the conference.
Win the Rebounding Battle:
Devaney and Evan Block’s rebounding skills are a key strength for the Privateers. They are averaging 7.7 and 7.5 rebounds per game, respectively. The two of them are a key reason why Maritime is averaging 39.6 boards per game. On the other hand, the Macs have struggled on the glass all year, averaging 36.2 rebounds per game - the third-worst in the conference. The Macs need to keep the rebounding margin close to emerge victorious.
Get to the Free Throw Line:
Despite leading the Skyline Conference with a free-throw percentage of 76.7%, the Macs have only gotten to the charity stripe a combined 14 times in the last two games, converting on only nine of them. Maritime will look to play disciplined defense against this YU’s offense. On the other end, the Privateers have only shot 65.4% from the free-throw line this season. Getting to the line and capitalizing is a must for the Macs to win tonight.
How to Watch:
Tip-off is at 8:00 PM at the Max Stern Athletics Center. You can also catch the game right here on the MacsLive YouTube Channel!