The journey for the Maccabees to reach the NCAA tournament is difficult, with ups and downs throughout. The process begins in October, which, for the players on the Yeshiva University Men’s basketball team, consists of a plethora of 6 a.m. practices. The first goal each season is securing a spot in the Skyline Conference tournament; this was achieved by the Macs after clinching the top spot in the Gold division and earning the conference’s second seed.
The sky is the limit for this group, as they aim for their fourth Skyline Conference title. The journey kicks off on Tuesday against a familiar Mount Saint Vincent Dolphins squad. Last Wednesday, they upset the Macs 82-74 with a late 16-0 run, punching their playoff ticket.
Now, the Macs get their shot at revenge in the quarterfinals. They’re here despite being ravaged by injuries, blowing several late leads, and dropping four straight conference games for the first time in over a decade. None of that matters anymore because it’s a clean slate. Yeshiva showed tremendous resilience in their comeback against Maritime on Saturday, rallying from a twelve-point deficit for a 68-64 win to secure the division title. The heart and hunger displayed in that second half are what they’ll need to bring for all 40 minutes of this game to exact their revenge.
The Macs host the Mount Saint Vincent Dolphins in the first round of the Skyline Conference tournament on Tuesday. (Photo Credit: Akiva Poppers/MacsLive)
Sharpshooters Wanted:
The Macs must avoid settling for low-percentage shots, especially from beyond the arc. They struggled last week, going just 2 for 19 from three-point range. Instead of relying on long-range jumpers, they should focus on creating high-quality scoring opportunities closer to the basket.
Capitalize From The Charity Stripe:
In their previous matchup, Yeshiva only converted 12 out of 17 attempts, while Mount Saint Vincent sunk 15 out of 18 shots. To change the narrative, the Macs must capitalize on every opportunity to score, including from the charity stripe.
Ignite the Home Crowd:
It’s playoff time, which means home crowds become an invaluable asset. Both teams in these games are on adrenaline, with their intensity at its peak. Yeshiva must use the fans' energy to their advantage. They’ll need to turn the Max Stern Athletic Center into a fortress.
As for the faithful, they must be at their most energetic and loud to make the Dolphins feel like they’re out of water. They felt comfortable last week when Joshua Cabezudo glared at Macs’ fans after nailing a go-ahead triple, and when Jalen Lewis slammed home two more points at the buzzer just for good measure. For those attending, it’s not enough this time just to be there; you must make yourselves heard.
How To Watch:
Tip-off is slated for 8:00PM, you can watch the game on MacsLive here.
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