Tonight's game between Yeshiva and Sarah Lawrence at the Max Stern Athletic Center is shaping up to be must-see TV, with both teams sitting at 2-0 in Skyline Conference play. The Macs are coming off a massive 112-75 win against UMSV on Sunday, setting the bar high for damage they’ll do against Conference foes after enduring the challenges of national contenders through the season’s first two months. YU is finding their rhythm, but the real test is going to be taking that momentum against a tough opponent in Sarah Lawrence.
The Gryphons just picked up a solid 9-point win over Purchase College, with a big 22-6 run in the second half. Braden Burman led the charge with 19 points, hitting 50% of his three-pointers and knocking down all his free throws. Andrew Kim added 17 points, and went six-for-seven from the field, while Eamon Kelly was all over the place, finishing with a double-double. The Gophers have a strong, balanced attack, so the Macs will need to step up on defense to keep those guys in check.
Head coach Elliot Steinmetz and the Macs seek their third straight victory in Skyline Conference play against Sarah Lawrence on Wednesday. (Photo Credit: Akiva Poppers/MacsLive)
Defend the Three-Point Line:
Sarah Lawrence has shown they can light it up from deep, especially with Burman and Kim knocking down trifectas at a high rate. The Macs need to make sure they’re contesting those shots and forcing them to take tougher looks.
Keep the Offensive Flow Going:
After scoring 112 points in their last game, the Macs will want to keep that offense humming. Samet is the ring leader and will have his moments, but the key is spreading the wealth—getting Itcovichi, Osleka, and the rest of the squad involved will make it harder for their visitors to focus on just one player.
Crash the Boards:
Eamon Kelly’s double-double against Purchase College shows that Sarah Lawrence can rebound well as they have the top rebounding margin in the conference with 3.4. The Macs, outrebounded Mount Saint Vincent on Sunday 56-36, but still contain a -5.0 rebound margin, for ninth in the Skyline. They’ll need Luke Cronin who pulled down 11 boards on Sunday, and others to control the boards and limit second-chance opportunities for the Gryphons.
How to Watch:
Tip-off is at 8PM. You watch the game on the MacsLive YouTube page.