YU Maccabees Basketball Coach Elliot Steinmetz on JM in the AM

And one of our favorite guests, it is no secret, is Elliot Styus. He is coach, head coach of the Yeshua University men's basketball team, the Mcabes. Oh, we're approaching their big holiday, the Mcabes. We are approaching the holiday of Kanuka. And why did I choose today to speak to Elliot? Uh because we go through the schedule every year when the schedule comes out. We go through the schedule every year. We try to find the most familyfriendly games Sunday afternoon, Saturday night, etc. Tomorrow night is the first of seven, not consecutive, but pretty bunched up. The first of seven home Saturday night games up at Yoshima University for the Mcabes. So, if you want to bring your kids, have a great family experience, have just a wonderful time with people from our community and see a really good basketball team uh perform um and represent us as a Jewish people. You have an opportunity tomorrow night when the Shu University men's basketball team takes on the University of St. Joseph and next Saturday night when they take on Manhattanville. Both home games beginning at 8:30 p.m. up in Washington Heights. Elliot Sty, a pleasure to welcome you back to JM and the AM. >> Thanks, Nalam. Always good to be on. >> Appreciate that. Congratulations. You got your first win that happened on Wednesday night. I'm sure that's a good feeling. These games have all been close. uh everything that's happened this year. And I I am curious because you you purposely and and we know you do this. You've told us you do this. You purposely schedule the team on against very very tough competition especially early in the year. So even a really good team like yours and no one's doubting that you are a good team uh could have a uh you know a lackluster record because you're playing against the best in the country. any regrets doing that, especially after suffering a five-game losing streak? >> Uh, no. I I think we're I think I think we're I think we're getting better every day. And that's, you know, that's always the goal. Um, you know, the the end of the day, it doesn't really matter what you do uh record-wise in November and December. It matters what you do in February and March. And if you're not preparing to be the best team you can be in February or in March, then you know you're Look, I I said it a couple weeks ago and it rings true. Record record out of the conference is is ego. That's all it is. It's it's it's ego. It's the ability to say we're 5-0 versus we're 0 and five. And you know, if if we played five really really bad teams and won every game by 30 but didn't get better, are we really working towards our goals in February and March? And I don't think that's the answer. Now, don't get me wrong, I'd rather be 5-0 than 0 and5, but you know, given the circumstances, I think we, you know, we played the number one, number two, number four, and number six teams in the country. Um, we played overtime and double overtime in in in two of those games. Um, and I just feel like we've gotten better as a group and I think our guys are seeing that. It's reflected in practice and, you know, we obviously got a nice win Wednesday night against a really, really good NYU team and, uh, hopefully it's up from here. Is that the first time you've defeated NYU in a long time or this happens with regularity? >> So, no, it's the second time we've beaten them, I think, ever. And the first time was I I I believe about nine years ago, so it's been a while. >> Very satisfying victory. And when you and I'm sure it's this was Wednesday night, so I'm sure you've already studied the game. Did your team Did the McBaes look very different than they did in game one and two this year? >> We did. Yeah, we we looked more similar to what we looked like in game four and five, but we looked way different than we did in games 1, two, and three. And I and I think that's kind of a real symbol of the growth that we've had over the course of this, you know, gauntlet of uh really really tough teams and and and the schedule that we put together. So, no doubt we we've looked like a different team the last couple of games and and uh you know, I'm excited about it because I think it's encouraging encouraging signs for the future. And aside from trying to curry favor with Nakam Seagull and his audience, why so many home Saturday night games? >> You know, it's funny. I don't know. I don't know how it worked out that way, but I'm not complaining about it. I always I always think those games are a ton of fun. Um, you know, they're a little tougher for us, obviously, from a preparation standpoint because we don't have a shoot around. We don't have the ability to, you know, go over to the scout during the day and and anything like that. It's, you know, it's shabas. But um Saturday night's a great night for people to come out and the gym is I mean the gym's been packed every game this year so far. Even not on Saturday night. I I can only imagine what Saturday night's going to look like. So it's a lot of fun. It's a fun atmosphere and it makes it fun for you know for our guys to compete and see, you know, see uh Jews supporting Jews as Debbie Hammet likes to say. >> Yeah. Well, we love the Saturday night games. We also love the Sunday afternoon games. Unfortunately, weren't able to get any of those this year, but we'll take advantage of the seven Saturday night games. Four in February, by the way, folks. one this week, tomorrow night, one next week, and then four in January, rather, not February, four in January, which is pretty amazing. Um, anyway, look at the schedule online, you'll see exactly what I'm talking about. Elliot Ste is with us, coach of the University, Mcabes, you talk about Jews supporting Jews and rooting for Jews. Have you had any um backlash? I know the war is quote unquote over. Those of us who are insiders know what that means, whether it's really over or not. But, uh, obviously, uh, I'm sure over the last couple of years there have been comments and other episodes that you've had to deal with. Anything happened so far this season? >> Uh, no. I mean, the war is never over, unfortunately. >> Correct. >> But, um, we, you know, we we we thankfully, you know, especially especially with coaches and players and and, um, administrations from other schools and and programs, we've never had anything but support. Um it's really been a you know very very good situation in that regard. You know we've had issues in the past here and there with fans but uh thank God never never from players or coaches. Um and and nothing this year at all. It's been uh it's been you know straight competition and and really uh pleasant so far. >> So a lot of people who you know tend to be more insulated in the community may find this hard to believe but when you take the court tomorrow night against St. Joseph using their name generically because they just happen to be your opponent tomorrow night. Uh there there's a great and I I I think you'd agree with the word great. There's a great level of respect among the chord, right? I mean there's it's not just that people are tolerating each other. They're rather cordial and and professional about it. Correct. >> 100%. That that's definitely true. And you know, I think our guys get along with with most of our opponents. I think it's a been good relationships on and off the court and it's been a good situation. And it's an interesting thing. This uh this St. Joseph's Connecticut team that were playing. The program there was started by Jim Calhoun, who's the Hall of Fame coach who used to coach at the University of Connecticut. Um, and then after he retired there, he was coaching at um at St. Joe's, Connecticut. He actually uh I believe it was >> not last year, the year before after October 7th was they were our first game um on the road in St. Joe's. And he's he's no longer coaching, but he's still there and he's still involved in the program. and he came into our locker room, spoke to our guys for about 10 minutes about Israel and his support for Israel and and you know just letting us know that they had our back and it was just a very very special moment. He's a really really special person. >> And for those of you not in the know, we're talking about someone who's won multiple national championships. I mean, a really high-profile college basketball uh figure. Pretty amazing. All right, coach. For those who are going tomorrow night, and frankly my plans are not finalized yet, but if I do make it there, you know, I'll make sure to come over and say hi. Uh for those going tomorrow night, could you give us the players to watch? Could you give us those who have been uh either on a very consistent basis for many seasons or as newcomers have been making their mark for the McBaes this season? >> Yeah, I think it's, you know, it's it's the usual suspects from the last few years. This this team has been together for four years now, and you know, a few of them have been starting since they're freshman. It's, you know, Max Zachim who's kind of our engine and uh, you know, we go how he goes. It's it's Debbie Sam who has, you know, unique ability to score the basketball. You know, unlike anyone we've probably seen, maybe maybe other than Ryan Terrell. Um, and, uh, you know, in terms of the the usual crowd, it's, you know, Roy and Doan Bard and Orki. But one of, you know, a couple of new players would be, um, you know, Ya Dovat, who's the, you know, 67 Israeli guard who's just been terrific. real team player. Um, you know, Yo Lelka is in his second full year after a first year of injury who's been great. Um, and then we have some good role players that have been, uh, you know, surprising us and continuing to earn time. So, there there's a really really good mix there and and a lot of good guys. >> How many of tomorrow night's starting five are seniors? >> Um, I think it is two. Interesting. So, you got a good mix to say the least. Coach Elliot Stev invites everybody to be there tomorrow night in all the different Saturday night home games and every home game and every away game. We've had the chance to do that as well as the Yeshiva University Makabes continue their uh 2025 2026 season. Uh this is their holiday season because the McBaes of course named for the famed Mcabes who will be celebrating 10 days from now during the holiday of Kanuka. And finally, coach, I cannot leave a conversation with you without reiterating, without mentioning that um what the key, the real key, and something that both you and I are very proud of is how the team represents us both on the court. And when I say us, I mean the Jewish people, not just YU, on the court and off the court. And uh it and you and I know each other a long time. It has been so heartwarming for me to see how much of a priority this has been for you. And no doubt, I am sure that this crew you have assembled that'll be playing tomorrow night at home uh is following the tradition of all the prior teams and representing the Jewish people very very well. >> Absolutely. It is not a priority. It is really the priority and and and we have a great group of guys who who represent that well. >> Elliott, you make me so proud. Kaka vote to you. Have a wonderful Shabas and good luck tomorrow night. >> Thanks Nam. Elliot Ste is coach of the Yoshi University men's basketball team, the McBaes tomorrow night against St. Joseph of Connecticut. 8:30 is the start at the Max Athletic Center on the campus of Yim University. It's such an amazing family event. You know, you want to go out with friends, just have a nice time. It's all free. It's a great atmosphere. And for those of you who've never seen a basketball team represent the Jewish people on a regular basis, this is the one. and um whatever we can do to support them, we are there to do just That