The modern Orthodox Jewish community is descending on Atlanta for a very Jewish basketball game on Friday, March 13, as the No. 12 seed Yeshiva University Maccabees face the No. 1 seed Emory University Eagles in the Sweet Sixteen round of the men’s NCAA D3 basketball tournament.
After Yeshiva’s 92-69 win over University of Maine-Farmington on March 7 and 71-69 over Bates College, the team advanced to the Sweet Sixteen. Emory easily beat MUW 87-73 and survived Roanoke 83-81 in overtime.
Rabbi Adam Starr of Our HaTorah in Toco Hills, a graduate of YU, called the game a “David vs. Goliath” match up.
“Emory is a heavy favorite here. Yeshiva was not expected to make it. They were the underdog to the first two rounds,” Starr said.
Yeshiva has garnered a national following, becoming a source of pride, inspiration, and connection for Jewish followers, Starr said. Georgia State Rep. Esther Panitch will present an honorary resolution at the Gold Dome on behalf of the Macs, and Atlanta Jewish Academy’s seventh through 12th graders will attend the game.
Starr said the ongoing war in Israel has many people running back and forth to shelters. “In the midst of this war, and really tough time since October 7, this team has been a source of hope and pride and something for the Jewish community to rally around,” Starr said.