What’s unique about this particular Wednesday, in mid-January is an opportunity for the Macs to keep the momentum going after their gritty overtime win over Manhattanville on Sunday. Mount Saint Mary (1-12, 0-4 Skyline) are still in search for a favorable conference night, and their winless start gives YU (5-7, 3-1 Skyline) a perfect chance to pick up another Skyline victory. However, let’s not get ahead of ourselves—every team deserves respect, and Yeshiva still needs to show good habits and be ready to play. Here’s what it’ll take to earn their blowout win if they can execute adequately and avoid unmitigated disaster.
Zevi Samet and the Macs seek a good night against the lowly Mount Saint Mary Knights. (Photo Credit: Akiva Poppers/MacsLive)
Control the Glass:
The Knights have struggled all season, and one area Yeshiva can take full advantage of is rebounding. We’ve seen Yoav Oselka and Luke Cronin dominate the boards, and they need to continue owning the glass here. Mount Saint Mary isn’t exactly an offensive powerhouse, but if YU lets them get second-chance points or easy putbacks, it’ll make this game more competitive than it should be. Yeshiva has to limit their extra opportunities—box out, grab those boards, and push the pace.
Free Throw Dominance:
You’d be remiss to talk about Macs' wins without mentioning their effectiveness at the free-throw line. Against Manhattanville, YU was a perfect 6-for-6 in overtime and finished 21-for-27 overall. That kind of efficiency is a primary weapon, and Mount Saint Mary doesn’t have the same strength at the stripe. They’re struggling to put points on the board, and if they attack the basket, get fouls, and convert at the line, Yeshiva can build a seismic advantage and force them into challenging situations.
Max and Zevi Need to Keep Leading the Charge:
Max Zakheim and Zevi Samet have been the heart and soul of YU’s offense, and they’ve repeatedly proven that they can deliver in key moments. Max scored 22 points on Sunday, while Zevi had his third straight game with 20. YU needs both of them to keep playing aggressive, smart basketball—whether it’s Zevi knocking down threes or Max driving to the hoop. If they keep playing like they have been, they’ll draw defenders, creating opportunities for everyone else. The supporting cast should keep feeding the stars.
The record of Mount Saint Mary is all you need to see to know they’ve had a tough go, but Yeshiva shouldn’t let up. If they control the boards, get to the free-throw line, and let Max and Zevi do their thing, this is a game they should win comfortably. It’s time to make a statement and show the Skyline that YU means business.
How to Watch:
Tip-off is at 8:00PM from Newburgh, New York. You can watch the game here.
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