As the NCAA Division III March Madness tournament begins, the Macs find themselves on a collision course with an all-too-familiar adversary. Their journey takes them to Boston, where the Tufts Jumbos await—a team that has already bested them once this season. But this time, the stakes are higher, the lights are brighter, and the fire within the Macs burns hotter than ever.
Their preparation remains relentless. Early morning grinds, exhaustive film study, and meticulous self-examination have defined their lead-up to this moment. The past is not a burden but fuel, a lesson etched into their determination. And now, they have a rematch (the only one in the tournament’s first round). It is a second chance, a shot at redemption. As Dan Gamble famously said, "Gold medals aren't really made of gold. They're made of sweat, determination, and a hard-to-find alloy called guts."
The Macs (18-10, 12-4 Skyline) enter the tournament riding a wave of momentum, eager to sustain their recent surge. Across from them stand the #13 Jumbos (21-5, 8-2 NESCAC), a battle-hardened squad that fell in the NESCAC semifinals to fourth-ranked Trinity CT. The Macs previous encounter with Tufts was a hard-fought battle, with the Jumbos securing an eight-point victory. Tufts stormed into halftime with a commanding 16-point lead and never relinquished control. The Macs are hoping they can reverse this outcome to win their first game in “The Dance” since 2020.
The Jumbos are anchored by First-Team All-NESCAC selection Scott Gyimesi, a powerhouse who averages 15.5 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game. The Macs counter with their own star—Skyline Player of the Year Zevi Samet, who leads the charge with an electrifying 22.4 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. And if recent performances are any indication, Samet is peaking at the perfect time, who averaged over 33 points per game during the Skyline playoffs. With the madness of March officially underway and the opening tip-off just moments away, one thing is certain: this is no ordinary game. It is a battle for redemption. The Macs are ready. The stage is set. Let the madness begin.
The #15 seeded and Skyline Championed Macs practice at Tufts ahead of their Friday 1:15PM NCAA DIII Tournament round of 64 match with the #2 seeded Jumbos in Boston. (Photo Credit: Yosef Silver/MacsLive)
Make The Extra Pass::
The Macs are up against a top-tiered defense who has limited opponents to 65 points per game. To surpass the 70-point mark, they must prioritize ball movement and seek out the extra pass. Lately, they have too often settled for decent looks instead of making the extra pass to create high-quality scoring opportunities. This tendency played a key role in their 14-point halftime deficit against Farmingdale on Sunday. If the Macs can consistently find the open man, they will put themselves in a strong position to keep pace with the Jumbos' offense.
Securing the Glass:
One of the Macs' biggest struggles in non-conference play this season has been rebounding. Across their nine non-conference games, they have been out-rebounded by an average of nine boards per game, including a 13-rebound deficit against Tufts. The Jumbos capitalized on their dominance, securing 13 offensive rebounds that led to 16 second-chance points. To stay competitive, the Macs must limit Tufts’ second-chance opportunities and aggressively secure defensive rebounds. Additionally, with just seven offensive rebounds resulting in eight second-chance points, the Macs need to be more assertive on the offensive glass to generate extra scoring opportunities.
Free Throws:
The Macs have been exceptional from the free-throw line this season, shooting 77.9% as a team—ranking them among the top eight in the nation. Meanwhile, their opponents have converted just 66.8% of their attempts. While the Macs cannot control their opponents’ efficiency at the stripe, they can minimize the number of free throws they allow while maximizing their own opportunities. Free throws are one of the most efficient ways to score in basketball, a fact emphasized by the Free Throw Rate statistic, which measures how often a team gets to the line relative to its field goal attempts. In this win-or-go-home matchup, the Macs must remain aggressive, attack the rim, and capitalize on their chances at the line to secure the victory
How to Watch:
Tip-off is Friday at 1:15 PM at the Cousens Gymnasium & Tye Court. You can also catch the game right here on the Broadcast.
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