The final score says it all: 61–54 TABC Storm, but that doesn’t even begin to capture what this game felt like. This wasn’t just a Tier II final — this was two teams that battled all week, earned their way here, and played like it with a trophy on the line. You had the #13 TABC Storm, riding momentum after knocking off #12 YULA and #9 Berman. And across from them, the #10 Ida Crown Aces — the Kings of Tier II — looking to prove they still owned that title after taking down #1

This isn’t just a Tier II final. This is a matchup between two teams that have played like contenders all week — and now get one last shot to prove it. The TABC Storm and Ida Crown Aces didn’t coast their way here. They earned it through some statement wins like the #13 Storm upsetting #12 YULA and #9 Berman, while Ida Crown, notably the Kings of Tier two, beat #15 MTA and #14 Fuchs Mizrachi. So what are the keys for the Aces from Chicago to retain their moniker or for the S

UPDATED STANDINGS Akiva Poppers: 7-3 Yosef Silver: 19-8 Ari Schopf: 19-8 Marvin Azrak: 22-5 Zachary Sicklick: 21-6 Oren Glickman: 12-11 Tier III Championship: #17 HANC vs #19 Hillel Pittsburgh AP: As hard as Hillel works defensively, I think the talent gap might be a bit too much to overcome here in their first ever championship game appearance. HANC will go from winning the play-in to winning a Tier III Championship. HANC 54, Hillel 41. YS: Hillel survived Beren by the skin

STANDINGS: Marvin Azrak: 19-2 Zachary Sicklick: 16-5 Yosef Silver: 16-5 Ari Schopf: 15-6 Oren Glickman; 9-9 Akiva Poppers: 3-1 #18 Beren vs #19 Hillel Akiva Poppers: Hillel has never been to a championship game, but I think they have the group to change that. They aren’t extremely talented, but they are physical and play hard. They’ll keep this game low-scoring and escape with a win. Hillel 39, Beren 37. Yosef Silver: Beren had a great season,  I really like the Beren had an

ANNOUNCEMENT: With Ramaz falling to Jewish Culture in the Tier I quarterfinals and being eliminated from championship contention, we welcome Ramaz Assistant Coach and MacsLive legend Akiva Poppers back onto the picks panel. STANDINGS:  Marvin Azrak: 15-2 Yosef Silver: 13-4 Zachary Sicklick 12-5  Ari Schopf: 11-6 Oren Glickman: 7-8 Akiva Poppers: 0-0 Tier 2 Quarterfinals: #12 YULA vs #13 TABC: Akiva Poppers : I’m told that no one cared about the panel without me on it, but thi

The Chanps have been dethroned by the new kids on the block as #4 Jewish Culture pulled away late to beat #13 TABC 57–42, in Tier I qualifying. TABC came out exactly how a defending champ should. The crowd was into it, the zone was active, and they dictated the tone early. But Jewish Culture didn’t panic — they absorbed it, settled in, and then slowly started to tilt the game in their direction. It actually started with defense. Both teams made life difficult early, but it wa

Friday picks: #3 Frisch vs #6 SAR Yosef Silver: Give me the Sting in this one, as SAR ends Frisch’s season twice in upset fashion. SAR 62 Frisch 58 Ari Schopf: Frisch will avenge their Yeshiva League semifinal loss to SAR and Stepner will put up 25+ points in the win. Frisch 60 SAR 54 Marvin Azrak: Stepner takes over. And that’s the difference as the Cougars avenge their Yeshiva League semifinal loss. Final: Frisch 68, SAR 60 Zachary Sicklick: These are both 2 great teams. Fr

Welcome back, champs!  #13 TABC Storm returns to the MSAC floor this Thursday night, but this is not the same group that cut down the nets last year. Those core athletes are mostly gone, and what’s left is a team trying to recalibrate while still carrying the weight of a championship identity. They’ve had their ups and downs this season but the impressive wins stand out. Wins over Frisch and SAR twice show the potential is still there. So, expect TABC to come out strong, espe

Note: Akiva Poppers has resigned from the panel as he is now an assistant coach at Ramaz. In his place is MacsLive Associate Producer, Zachary Sicklick.  Wednesday picks: HANC vs. JEC Yosef Silver: These two teams played earlier in the year, but both coaches would tell you that they aren’t putting too much stock into the JEC blowout victory. JEC is a talented team with a few nice pieces. In their playoff game, HANC showed us they can hang with some of the best. I think this g