SARACHEK PANEL GAME PREDICTIONS: FRIDAY
- MacsLive Staff
- 4 hours ago
- 9 min read
Friday picks:
Yosef Silver:
Give me the Sting in this one, as SAR ends Frisch’s season twice in upset fashion. SAR 62 Frisch 58
Ari Schopf: Frisch will avenge their Yeshiva League semifinal loss to SAR and Stepner will put up 25+ points in the win. Frisch 60 SAR 54
Marvin Azrak: Stepner takes over. And that’s the difference as the Cougars avenge their Yeshiva League semifinal loss.
Final: Frisch 68, SAR 60
Zachary Sicklick: These are both 2 great teams. Frisch took a while to get away from Fuchs, but between Stepner, Gervis and Co. it was enough to power them past the Mayhem. For SAR, they were able to contain Ovaknin enough, and they were able to win by over 15. This is going to be a rematch of their Yeshiva League Semi-finals Matchup. SAR won that matchup by 5 and I think with Halpert and Goldberg I think they will take it again. SAR 56 Frisch 51
Oren Glickman: MYHSAL semifinals rematch! Ironically the hypest matchup this round is the 9 AM game- could be the most crowded 9 AM game ever in the MSAC featuring two big rivals. I chose Frisch in the semifinals on the YLP pod and SAR made me pay the price. I won’t make that mistake again. Max Weiss is playing better basketball than anyone right now and as long as Evan Goldberg can be effective and limit Stepner to below 30, I like the Sting going to the semifinals on Big Sunday in OT!
SAR 54 Frisch 49 in OT
YS: This should be really fun clash of two unique styles. Jewish Culture likes to play a flashy game with a quick pace and a lot of threes. Ramaz plays a much slower style, which highlights their defensive dominance. YULA’s 35 points was the 12th time that Ramaz has limited a team to under 40. Give me Ramaz as the Rams prove that slow and steady wins the race. Ramaz 46 Jewish Culture 40
AS: I really like this Ramaz team. A ferocious defensive team that gets after it every play. Offensively, they are very balanced with great big men as well as rotation of terrific guards that can shoot and get to the rim. Coach Ferguson and his staff deserve a lot of credit for how well coached this team is. Also whoever coached these guys in JV last year also deserves some credit.
Ramaz 51 Jewish Culture 46
MA: Ramaz will make this uncomfortable. They’ll take away easy looks, they’ll force Jewish Culture to earn everything, and this won’t be a runaway. But right now, Jewish Culture just has too many ways to win. The scoring balance, the defensive activity, and the confidence from that TABC win feels real.
Final: Jewish Culture 58 Ramaz 49
ZS: Jewish Culture is good, but Ramaz is better. They have size, shooting, defense- everything that is required to make a run in Sarachek. Ramaz 49 Jewish Culture 38
OG: Two good teams that are big and both shoot the ball extremely well. Ramaz are the best defensive team in the tournament and as much as I liked Culture in their Sarachek debut, I’m not sure they can get by the Rams.
Ramaz 45 Jewish Culture 34
YS: DRS showed a bit of a championship hangover in the first half against Montreal, but came out roaring in the third quarter and took control. I think these guys are now locked in have their eyes on a new prize. The offense was smooth and the defense was lockdown. Valley Torah did it again, trailing the entire game but clawing their way back to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. That won’t work against DRS. The Wildcats are too talented, disciplined, and battle tested to allow yourself to fall behind. Give me the Wildcats as DRS blocks Valley’s path to a trophy. DRS 61 VT 51
AS: Valley Torah pulled out an impressive overtime win against Berman to advance to the Tier 1 quarterfinals. They now face the #1 seed DRS Wildcats. The Wildcats trailed at the half, but made a statement in the second half to pull away from HA Montreal and get the win. I expect DRS to continue their momentum from that second half and handle business against this tough Valley Torah team.
DRS 57 VT 50
MA: I love Valley Tora’s fight. I love the way they stay in games. I love Meir Dan as a closer and Joey Victor’s toughness. But you can’t keep playing from behind and expect to survive, especially not against a team like DRS. The Wildcats don’t let you hang around, but figure you out. We saw it vs Montreal. Slow start, sure. Yet once they adjusted? It turned into a clinic. They don’t need 32 minutes to beat you. They might only need 10. And I think that’s what happens here. Valley Torah will have their run. They always do. Maybe it’s late second quarter, maybe early third, you’ll feel that “here we go again” energy. However, this time, DRS answers it. Immediately. And once DRS gets control, they don’t give it back.
Final: DRS 66 VT 50
ZS: DRS took a while to get it going against Montreal today, but when it mattered most they were able to win a close game. Yitz Bennett played well and DRS will be relying on him again against Valley Torah. I thought Valley Torah would lose, however, in the closest matchup of the day they ended up winning in overtime. They showed they are a good team, DRS showed they are beatable; but I think the Wildcats have at least 1 more round in them. DRS 65 Valley Torah 54
OG: DRS got over their championship hangover in the second half against Montreal and now face a Valley Torah team that survived a game where they were trailing for the majority against Berman. What’s crazy is this matchup features two teams that play extremely well in the second half. Meir Dan showed everyone what a big time player he can be. However, I think DRS are now ready to go full guns blazing and should be in the semifinals on Big Sunday.
DRS 63 Valley Torah 55
YS: Flatbush has had a really great year and looked great against Ida Crown. However Shalhevet is on a different level right now. The Firehawks had that game locked up from the opening tip. Sam Jacobsen continues his First Team All-Sarachek campaign as the Firehawks move onto Sunday for only the second time in five years. Shalhevet 63, Flatbush 54.
AS: This Flatbush team is going to make a statement today. I picked against Shalhevet for their first game and I will pick against them again here.
Flatbush 64 Shalhevet 56
MA: Flatbush hangs around early. Romano hits a couple threes. Maybe it's a one-possession game late in the second quarter.
But in the second half we see Shalhevet's size, balance, and control start to take over.
Final: Shalhevet 68 Flatbush 56
ZS: Another game where I made the wrong pick was Ida Crown vs Flatbush. I thought the Ida pressure would get to the Falcons but I was wrong. Romano also was lights out for deep. Shalhevet blew past MTA without a fight and I think they will beat the Falcons. Shalhevet 57 Flatbush 48
OG: Shalhevet made easy work of MTA and Flatbush did enough to fend off Ida Crown. If the Falcons can contain Sam Jacobson (this falls on the shoulders of Joey Esses), I think they can pull off this upset and get to the semis. Romano has proved what a sniper he can be. I am curious on Sam Jemal’s status, but will still go Flatbush here. Shalhevet’s quarterfinal curse continues.
Flatbush 60 Shalhevet 57
YS: MTA is coming off a rough showing against Shalhevet but I think it serves as a wake up call for what happens when you don’t bring your A game. Beren had a historic season and won’t be an easy draw. Give me the Lions, but Beren is definitely a team to watch in Tier III. MTA 46 Beren 40
AS: MTA will benefit from playing a tough shalhevet team for their first game and I expect them to come out with high intensity to start this game. Beren may start slow with some first game jitters. MTA will get the win here.
MTA 51 Beren 42
MA: I think MTA responds. Not pretty. Not dominant. But more like themselves.
Final: MTA 49 Beren 41
ZS: The hosts took a tough loss to Shalhevet yesterday and they are going to look to come out with a Bang vs Beren. Look for Gavi Engel to rebound from today and MTA will have this game with ease. MTA 58 Beren 39
OG: MTA bounce back today. Avramov Neiss and Engel all have great outings. Beren do have a player Rafi Miller worth watching for the record.
MTA 61 Beren 32
YS: Fuchs was awesome for the first ten minutes against Frisch. Jacobs is a baller and Sharvit and Pizem are nice pieces for the Mayhem. Hillel just doesn’t have the horses to compete. Fuchs 67 Hillel 41
AS: Fuchs Mizrachi has some great offensive talent and looked dominant in their first half against Frisch. This is a team that can put up a lot of points and Hillel won’t be able to match it.
Fuchs Mizrachi 62 Hillel 49
MA: I trust Fuchs in this kind of game. They’ve been here before. They know how to win ugly. And they’re not going to let this turn into something open. Hillel Pittsburgh will have moments because they’re a feisty group, but over 32 minutes, Fuchs’ discipline wins out.
Final: Fuchs Mizrachi 52, Hillel Pittsburgh 45
ZS: Fuchs looked strong in their opening match vs Frisch and they will want to continue that today. Hillel plays all 32 minutes strong and they are led by great guard play. This game will be good but Jacobs will be good enough for the Mayhem. Fuchs 48 Hillel 40
OG: Strongest Fuchs team I’ve seen in years despite not being able to pull off the Frisch upset. Jacobs is a stud (runs in the family) and I didn’t realize how talented Pizem is as well. I expect them to bounce back easily against Hillel.
Fuchs Mizrachi 60 Hillel 37
YS: TABC hung with Culture for the first half and almost took a lead into the locker room. Facing SCY High, look for Borgen and Faber to dominate in an easy win on home floor. TABC 68 SCY 32
AS: TABC should be one of the favorites to win Tier 2. TABC will hit the ground running and control this game from start to finish. Yonatan Faber will score 20.
TABC 65 SCY High 44
MA: TABC bounces back in a runaway. Final score: 58-30
ZS: SCY High is ranked #20 but it doesn’t mean they can’t play ball. They are facing last years champions which is a battle. I think the Storm will pull away will this one TABC 62 SCY High 43
OG: Cannot make a prediction
YS: HANC looked really good against JEC on Wednesday night. Montreal hung with DRS for the first half but frankly I think that says more about how DRS was playing than it does about Montreal. Simon Alloul is a stud but he doesn’t have the same help he’s had in previous years. Look for Davidowitz to catch fire from deep and Tilis to slash his way to the basket, as the Hurricanes move into Tier II. HANC 54 Montreal 46
AS: HA Montreal gave DRS a run for their money, but fell short in the second half. Alloul is a star and I think they are legitimate threats to win Tier 2.
HA Montreal 59 HANC 45
MA: This game is going to have runs.
HANC will have a stretch where it feels like they're about to do it again. You'll feel that same energy from the JEC game. But Montreal has already seen a higher level in DRS and I think Montreal is too motivated after that Wildcats loss. They won't let this slip. HANC's run was real.
Montreal resets and moves on.
Final: HA Montreal 59, HANC 50
ZS: This is the only Tier II qualifier with both teams having played already. HANC won a close game against JEC in the play in the game, while HA Montreal played competitively with DRS. Alloul and Co will do a good job of containing Davidowitz and I think they will pull it out. HA Montreal 52 HANC 47
OG: Gotta tip your cap to Montreal- being up 4 at halftime on the defending YL champs. Just not enough depth and Simon Alloul tiring prevented them from pulling it off. We all have egg on our face from HANC winning the play in game. If Davidovits can catch fire again along with Tilis contributing, I think HANC can take down Alloul and Montreal.
HANC 53 Montreal 49