Gameday Preview Manhattanville Valiants @ Yeshiva Maccabees:

The quest for the Skyline crown is officially underway for the Maccabees, and there was no better way to launch it than with a statement win over Purchase on Tuesday night. The season may not have opened the way they imagined, but, as Elsa wisely reminds us, “the past is in the past.” In their last three contests, the Macs have gone 2-1 and, more importantly, have rediscovered their identity. This is a team fueled by hunger: seniors desperate to cap their careers with a championship and freshmen eager to etch their names into program history. They are ready. Their journey continues Saturday night as the Macs (2-6, 1-0 Skyline) seek their first two-game winning streak of the year as they take on the Manhattanville Valiants (5-4, 0-0 Skyline).

Yeshiva enters the matchup riding the momentum of their most dominant half of basketball this season. They outscored the Purchase Panthers by 22 in the second half alone, and shot over 50% from the field. They also held Purchase to under 50 total points, a defensive statement as emphatic as any they’ve made all year. While Zevi Samet was relatively quiet compared to his usual offensive eruptions, he delivered a milestone moment, eclipsing the 2,000-point mark on a signature pull-up jumper midway through the half. Yoav Oselka continued his emerging breakout campaign, posting a commanding 18-point, 14-rebound double-double. Defensively, the Macs were suffocating; only Purchase’s Desmond Ward cracked double figures. If YU can bottle that intensity, pace, and precision, they'll be formidable once again in tonight’s battle.

Yoav Oselka and the Macs look to continue their Skyline dominace and secure their third win of the season. (Photo Credit: MacsLive)

Manhattanville, however, arrives with momentum of its own. The Valiants have won three straight, highlighted by a dramatic double-overtime victory over John Jay College. They are powered by graduate guard Andrew Saint-Louis, who is averaging more than 19 points per game along with five rebounds, and senior guard Chris Robinson, a disruptive playmaker contributing nearly four assists and three combined steals and blocks per contest. For the Macs, the key to victory will be controlling the tempo and limiting Manhattanville’s dynamic backcourt. If they can impose their will, another chapter in this emerging turnaround story may be written tonight.

Rebounding:

If the Macs want to leave Saturday night with a win, they’ll need to continue asserting themselves on the glass against a gritty Manhattanville squad. Yeshiva currently holds a 3–2–3 “record” in rebounding margin game-to-game, and maintaining that physicality and passion will be essential if they hope to build a winning streak and stay in the Skyline title race. While Manhattanville has been out-rebounded on average this season, their recent three-game surge tells another story: during that stretch, they’ve averaged seven more rebounds per game than their opponents. Oselka, Dovrat, and the rest of the frontline will need to bring relentless energy on the boards to tilt the possession battle in YU’s favor.

Turnovers:

Turnovers have been a persistent issue for the Macs, and minimizing them will be crucial in this matchup. Yeshiva is averaging five more turnovers per game than their opponents this season, a formula that often leads to trouble. They’ve only posted a positive turnover margin three times all year, one of which came in Tuesday’s victory over Purchase. To generate high-quality looks and dictate the pace of play, ball security must be a priority. Part of that comes down to controlling tempo; too often, games spiral into a track meet, resembling an ice hockey rush more than a basketball possession. Slowing down when necessary and managing the game will help YU limit mistakes and keep control.

Off Ball Movement:

One of the brightest spots for the Macs this season has been their off-ball activity. Through sharp back cuts, decisive v-cuts, well-timed screens, and disciplined spacing, they’ve consistently created high-level offensive opportunities. Continuing this level of movement will be vital tonight. Manhattanville is a strong, well-coached team, and the Macs must capitalize on any defensive lapses by making the extra cut or the extra pass that leads to wide-open looks. When YU commits to this kind of fluid, professional basketball, their offense becomes exceptionally difficult to guard.

How to Watch:

Tip-off is at 8:30 PM at the Max Stern Athletics Center. You can also catch the game right here on the MacsLive YouTube Channel.