NYU men’s basketball receives first NCAA entry since 2016

After a season full of ups and downs, the Violets climbed to No. 64.

After losing for the third time in a row on February 5, NYU men’s basketball looked completely out of the playoffs. They shared last place in the Collegiate Athletic Association standings with a paltry 2–7 conference record. With head coach Dave Klatsky in his first season and many roster changes, it was clear this year could potentially be a year of program overhaul.

But the Violets always knew that they could beat anyone, and they started to do it.

NYU ended the season with five straight conference wins, including wins over three teams that competed in the tournament. The Violet’s improbable end to the season ensured the team’s wide participation in the big leagues.

“At the beginning of the season, we had a goal: to get into the tournament,” said sophomore combo quarterback Zay Freeny. “Few people believed in us – we were chosen last in the UAA to finish. Even in the middle of the season we were at the end of the standings. But we completely shocked everyone. We shocked everyone but ourselves.”

NYU’s path to dance is by no means an easy one.

The Violets started the season well, beating their non-conference rivals 11–0. NYU also shot incredibly well, only shooting below 40% from the three-point line in one game. However, once conference play began, the Violets began to falter.

“We went over our non-conference games, but when the conference started, we got punched in the mouth,” Freeney said. “After that, it took us a while to get together.”

Some would say that NYU’s bad start at UAA was to be expected. The Violets are a small team, and this season they have a new coach and a few rookies.

Despite early defeats, the Violets never gave up. After two field trip losses in early February against Carnegie Mellon University and Case Western Reserve University, the team changed gear. The violets knew they were good enough—they just had to prove it.

“Going to WashU and Chicago, we knew that if we won, we would have a chance to get into the tournament,” Frini said. “It was a huge turning point for us. We knew what we were capable of. We knew it wouldn’t be easy; it’s been a long road, but I’m glad it worked out the way it did.”

As the team had planned, NYU won the remainder of the season with five wins against some of the nation’s top teams. The Violets lit up just at the right time, and their regular rollercoaster season ended on a high note.

Now that he’s made it into the tournament, NYU Men’s Basketball has one simple yet ambitious goal: to win a championship.

“From the jump [coach Klatsky] said, “Let’s win.” Let’s win everything,” Frini said. “We know there are some great teams, some teams are ranked higher than us, but we don’t care.”

The Violets start their path to the trophy against Lancaster Bible College in the first round of the tournament, and the two teams couldn’t have more different paths to the tournament.

NYU spent most of the season in an elite conference that sent five teams to the tournament to win 7-7 in the UAA competition. Lancaster Bible dominated the relatively weak United East conference, which sent only one team to the tournament with a 15-1 record. However, the Chargers struggled outside of the conferences, posting a 4–6 record with over 90 points only once.

The Purples don’t underestimate other teams – they know firsthand that a team should never make such a mistake.

“We know they like to play fast and that’s what we love to do,” Freeney said. “I expect dynamic, fast-paced play. All participants in the tournament are a great team, so it will be a dog fight. We’re going to bring everything we’ve got and hopefully win.”

NYU is set to take on the Lancaster Bible this Friday in Alliance, Ohio at 5:10 pm.

Contact Pablo Okaris at [email protected]