Gameday Preview Chapman @ Yeshiva University
- Zachary Sicklick
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
A new quest for March begins tonight. Under the bright lights of the Max Stern Athletic Center, the Yeshiva University Maccabees return home to tip off another season filled with promise, grit, and unfinished business.
Their first challenge comes from across the country, the Chapman Panthers, who make the long journey from Orange County, California, just 30 miles south of the City of Angels. For Chapman, tonight marks the start of a grueling three-game East Coast swing. They bring with them a seasoned roster, anchored by the veteran backcourt of Cruz Billings and Jake Heberle, and bolstered by three transfers – Luke Farrington, Dylan Mansour, and TJ Tittelfitz – eager to make their mark in Panther colors.
For the Macs, this season carries a deeper meaning. The familiar core of Zevi Samet, Max Zakheim, Dothan Bardichev, and Roy Itcovichi takes the floor once more, a group that has already etched their names into Yeshiva basketball history. Now, they return for one last dance, with eyes fixed on March and the dream of going further than ever before.
But before that dream can come alive, the mission begins here, one day at a time, one game at a time. The focus is on growth, on chemistry, on becoming a little bit better with every practice, every possession, every moment. So buckle up. The road ahead will twist and turn, but if history has taught us anything, it’s that this team knows how to rise to the occasion. The journey starts tonight, and it’s going to be a special one.
Rebounding:
Rebounding was the Achilles’ heel for the Macs last season. In their ten out-of-conference matchups, they were outmuscled on the glass every single time, a stat that stung and one that can’t repeat itself if they hope to topple Chapman tonight. But there’s reason for optimism. Dothan Bardichev returns to the lineup healthy and hungry. Joining him are two key additions– 6’7” guard Yair Dovrat and 6’6” forward Alex Kirievsky – whose size, versatility, and physicality could be exactly what the Macs need to turn the tide on the boards. If Yeshiva can control the glass, they’ll not only gain extra possessions, but they’ll reclaim the identity that’s always defined them: relentless effort, heart, and the will to outwork anyone who steps on the floor with them.
Making the Extra Pass:
There’s an extra layer of intrigue to tonight’s matchup. Back during the Covid era, Coach Steinmetz joined the Slappin’ Glass podcast – hosted, by none other than Chapman’s current head coach, Coach Krikorian. During that conversation, Steinmetz pulled back the curtain on what makes the Macs’ famed motion offense so effective. Its foundation, he explained, lies in judgment – in reading, reacting, and trusting one another to make the extra pass. That same philosophy will be key tonight. For the Macs to find their rhythm offensively, it won’t just be about taking good shots – it’ll be about finding the best shot. The beauty of their system has always been its unselfishness, its flow, and its belief that teamwork creates the highest percentage looks. When the ball moves, the Macs move – and when the Macs move, they’re hard to stop.
Limiting Turnovers:
Another pillar of success for the Macs lies in their ability to take care of the basketball. Turnovers are the silent killers of any game, easy points for the opponent and lost opportunities for your own. Last season, Yeshiva did a good job limiting mistakes, often controlling the tempo by valuing each possession. That discipline was one of their quiet strengths and will be crucial once again this year. When the Macs dictate the pace – slowing things down when needed, pushing in transition when the moment’s right, and protecting the ball – they play the game on their terms. Possession by possession, it’s that poise and patience that can separate a good team from a great one.
How to Watch:
Tip-off is at 8:00 PM at the Max Stern Athletics Center. You can also catch the game right here on the MacsLive YouTube Channel.