Gameday Preview: Mount Saint Vincent @ Yeshiva

Now this feels familiar.

The Yeshiva Macs walk into this one 13–0 in Skyline play, fully in rhythm, fully confident, and very much looking like one of the hottest teams in Division III right now. This isn’t early-season YU anymore. The ball pops. The rotations make sense. The defense travels. They know who they are. Remember early in the season when things were choppy. Now? They’re rolling.

And across from them is Mount Saint Vincent — a team that, bluntly, has struggled mightily.

On paper, this has all the makings of a stress-free evening. A game where Coach Elliot Steinmetz can tinker a bit, stretch the rotation, and keep everyone fresh heading into March. We’ve seen this movie before: YU controls the tempo, builds a cushion, and uses the night to sharpen details rather than chase style points.

Yet, we’ve learned better.

Just ask Mount Saint Vincent.

Earlier this season, what looked like a routine Skyline road game turned into an unexpected sweat. Yeshiva played loose early, treated the first half like a lab, and still led comfortably. Up ten at the break. Up fifteen after halftime. Everything felt under control.

Until it didn’t. The Dolphins refused to fold—a run here, a three there, pressure building possession by possession. Suddenly, a 15-point lead was gone. A late 17–6 surge cut it to two. With 26 seconds left, YU found itself in a 76–74 game that absolutely did not feel like it should’ve been this close.

Fortunately, this version of the Macs didn’t panic. They leaned on experience. On poise. On details. Max Zakheim stepped up. Yair Dovrat followed. Four clutch free throws later, everyone exhaled at the escape triumph. That’s why this matchup matters more than the standings suggest.

This isn’t about Mount Saint Vincent. It’s about how Yeshiva approaches a game it’s “supposed” to win. Can they bring playoff habits into a tune-up? Can they defend with urgency even when the opponent is struggling? Can they value possessions, finish at the rim, and close cleanly without letting comfort turn into complacency?

If this “one last ride” with the current core has taught us anything, it’s that sometimes the most important wins aren’t the blowouts — they’re the ones that force you to stay sharp when the game refuses to cooperate.

Start Sharp:

This is the biggest one. When YU plays with intent early, this game tilts fast. When they drift, teams hang around. The lesson from the earlier swim with the Dolphins is build the lead with purpose, not talent alone. Strong defensive possessions, clean outlets, and finishing the first five minutes like it’s March sets the tone and avoids unnecessary drama.

Win the details: rebounding, ball security, free throws:

In games that shouldn't get close, it’s usually the little things that allow them to. The Macs are at their best when they rebound collectively, protect the ball, and cash in at the line. Those habits matter now more than ever during the regular season homestretch. They’re the exact things that decide playoff games when the margin tightens.

Let the defense travel:

Offense comes and goes. Defense doesn’t. When YU is active in passing lanes, rotating on the perimeter, and forcing opponents into late-clock decisions, everything else flows. This is where Zevi Samet, Yoav Oselka, and the collective pressure show up. If the Macs defend with urgency for 40 minutes, the rest takes care of itself.

How To Watch:

Tip-Off is at 8:00PM from the Max Stern Athletic Center. You can watch the game here