Success is rarely a straight path, but with two solid years of growth and development behind them, the Yeshiva University men’s basketball team is ready to make this season a banner one.
Led by a core group of Zevi Samet, Max Zakheim, Or Sundjyvsky, and Dothan Bardichev, who’ve already proven their potential, this group is focused on making history. They fell in the Skyline Conference semifinals as freshmen and were defeated in the Skyline Conference finals as sophomores, and now the pressure is on to get over the hump.
Zevi Samet and the Macs seek a Skyline Conference title after falling short in the finals last season. (Akiva Poppers/MacsLive)
Joining them are Roy Itcovichi, Effy Freundlich, and Ben Haber, all eager to have strong seasons. Behind the bench, head coach Elliot Steinmetz returns for his 11th season, adding some height to the roster with Division I transfer Luke Cronin. He and sophomore center Yoav Oselka bring the defensive strength and size that could make YU a dominant force in the paint. Luke’s brother Jackson is another Division I recruit who adds a calm presence and some defensive intensity to the second unit. The time for learning curves is over, as YU is here to compete. Across Division III, their opponents know they’ll be in for a challenge.
Macs Face Strongest Competition in Program History:
YU’s non-conference schedule reflects this ambition, kicking off with a road game on November 8 against #19 Mount Union. Playing a nationally ranked-team early on will set the tone and test the team’s defensive growth and chemistry. Two days later, the boys head to Wooster, facing a group on the national radar ranked 48th.
When the calendar flips to December, the Macs have their sights on a blockbuster tilt against 6th-ranked Trinity in Connecticut. The game on December 1 will be the stiffest test in recent YU history, and we will learn where they stand on the court beside national championship contenders.
Continuing their external gauntlet, Yeshiva acquaints themselves with local powerhouse #22 NYU for the third consecutive season on December 12. Just days after, on December 18, YU returns home to play Saint Joseph, a team you’ll probably see in the NCAA tournament later this year. To round out their challenging non-conference slate, the Macs will have an arduous task with 13th-ranked Tufts on January 2. These games will present an opportunity to make a statement against a top-ranked opponent, proving the program has what it takes to contend beyond its conference.
With each game, the Macs aren’t just preparing for their conference opponents; they’re making a case for national recognition. Winning some of these matchups will help YU be at its best for those pivotal Skyline Conference battles but could also bolster their at-large bid hopes for March Madness if needed. The development process is done. The Macs are here to win and show they belong among Division III’s best.
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