Gameday Preview: Yeshiva @#4 Tufts

Four games in, and the road has been rugged. The Maccabees have faced a gauntlet that would test anyone’s resolve — #2 Randolph-Macon, #1 Trinity, and now another top-five powerhouse in Tufts. These are the kinds of programs that define the upper echelon of Division III basketball, and Yeshiva is diving headfirst into that challenge.

Today’s Jumbos are the same battle-tested group that ended Yeshiva’s season in the NCAA Tournament last March, 83–66. They return nearly everyone — from preseason Third-Team All-American Scott Gyimesi, a 6’6” forward who dominates the interior with strength and touch, to Fourth-Team All-American James Morakis, the poised floor general who runs the show. Add in sharpshooter Dylan Reilly, defensive stopper Liam Kennelly on the perimeter, and 6’11” rim-protecting big Joshua Bernstein, and it’s no mystery why Tufts sits at #4 in the nation.

For Yeshiva, this is another chance to measure itself against greatness. Yes, the record says 0–4. But the story isn’t written yet.

The Macs know who they are and who they want to be. They know what it takes to play at the elite level — and they’re getting those lessons the hard way right now. The message going into Sunday is embrace the moment. Don’t flinch at the banners on the wall or the number next to Tufts’ name. Compete, defend, and continue to trust the system. Play for each other and let the chips fall where they may.

There will be times later in the season where all of this experience — all the bruises, the learning curves, the growing pains — is going to pay off and the wins against teams in their range will begin to flow.

Zevi Samet and the Macs head back to the same locker room where their season ended last year, seeking to upset #4 Tufts on Sunday. (Photo Credit: Akiva Poppers/MacsLive)

Win the Mental Battle Early:

Tufts is big, deep, and confident — they’ll try to break you mentally before the scoreboard even matters. YU needs to weather the first punch. Stay composed through the early runs, value every possession, and don’t let frustration or whistles dictate effort. The more this game feels like a grind, the better for the Macs.

Defend Without Fouling:

Last March’s loss turned when YU’s bigs got into foul trouble. Against a frontcourt led by Bernstein and Gyimesi, positioning and discipline are everything. Force tough shots, contest vertically, and make Tufts hit jumpers over hands instead of feasting inside. Limit free throws and second chances — make them earn every bucket.

Keep Trusting the Process:

The record says 0–4, but the growth isn’t in the wins, but in the work. Yeshiva has faced three of the top fifteen teams in the country. These are reps against the best. Keep moving the ball, keep communicating, keep competing. The payoff comes later — when these lessons turn into poise under pressure and a battle-tested identity. This is one of those stretches. Sunday isn’t just about trying to upset #4 Tufts — it’s about proving that this group won’t fold, no matter the environment. The Macs have built their identity on resilience, faith in one another, and finding light when the odds seem to favor darkness .You don’t need to shock the world. All they ask is you keep showing it in who you are becoming, because as we all know, these victorious articles against inferior competition are lurking. 

Watch Live:

Tip-Off from Boston is at noon. You can watch the game here