If you haven’t been tuning into NYU basketball, now’s the perfect time — and we’re ready to get you up to speed on the season. March is here, and NYU basketball is ready to make a statement on the national stage. Both the men’s and women’s teams have dominated through the regular season, capturing UAA championships and putting together historic campaigns. But now, the stakes are higher: one loss, and it’s over. As the Violets prepare for their March Madness journey, we break down the key players, team dynamics, and what to watch for as both teams chase national championships.
Men’s basketball: A historic season with championship aspirations
NYU men’s basketball is in the midst of a historic season, entering March Madness with a 24-1 record and ranked No. 1 in the nation by D3Hoops. The Violets captured its first outright UAA championship since 1994 and boast the top offensive and defensive scoring margins in the conference, with an impressive +17.8 margin per game. Additionally, the team leads the UAA in rebounding with 29.8 rebounds per game.
Last year, NYU’s season ended in heartbreak in the second round against Tufts University, but this year’s squad looks ready for a longer postseason. The difference is a revamped roster and a dominant system throughout the season.
A key piece of this transformation has been UAA Player of the Year Tristan How, a walk-on at the University of Virginia who has emerged as NYU’s centerpiece. How leads the team in scoring with an average of 15.0 points and adds 10 rebounds while shooting 53% from the field. He brings a unique skill set to the floor — not only as a dominant forward but as a player who can command an offense and create his own shot. His presence, paired with the interior dominance of graduate student center Emmanuel Onuama, has allowed NYU to establish an unstoppable two-big system that punishes opponents on the offensive glass.
The depth of this team has also been a major strength. Graduate student Jack Stone has been the floor general, orchestrating the offense with poise and precision. His ability to control the tempo and make smart decisions has been crucial in tight moments.
Graduate student Chuma Oyigbo has become one of the team’s most reliable shooters, knocking down over 52% from three off the bench. Meanwhile, senior Zay Freeney provides playmaking and additional scoring, making NYU even more dangerous. Off the bench, sophomore Hampton Sanders has cemented himself as the team’s sixth man, providing a much-needed scoring punch and stepping up in key moments. Graduate student Brock Susko has developed into a reliable shot creator, highlighted by his memorable buzzer-beater against the University of Chicago.
The lone blemish on NYU’s record came at home against Emory University, a game that exposed its occasional struggles in managing leads. However, since that loss, the Violets have been on a tear, correcting those mistakes and dominating the competition. When the team got its revenge against Emory on the road, it led for most of the game until late in the second half when things got tense. A clutch three-pointer by Sanders and a game-sealing block by Onuama ultimately secured the win, showing that this team has what it takes to handle adversity.
With head coach Dave Klatsky at the helm, NYU is on the hunt for its deepest tournament run yet. The pieces are in place — now it’s time to see if the team can deliver on its championship aspirations.
Women’s basketball: the unstoppable Violets seek to cap a perfect season
NYU women’s basketball has been nothing short of dominant, steamrolling through the regular season with an undefeated record of 25-0. The Violets captured the UAA Championship and are riding a historic 56-game winning streak — the 12th longest in NCAA women’s basketball history. It led the conference in offense, defense, scoring margin, team field goal percentage, amount and percentage of three-pointers, free throw percentage, blocked shots, assists and steals.
Yes, you read that right — the Violets lead in nearly every UAA scoring stat.
At the heart of the Violets’ success are graduate student Natalie Bruns — averaging 17 points and 6.2 rebounds — and senior Belle Pellecchia, who have both been instrumental in scoring and leadership. Pellecchia’s defensive intensity and ability to thrive in transition make her a nightmare for opposing teams. She leads the UAA with 3.5 steals per game, constantly disrupting passing lanes and turning defense into fast-break opportunities. Junior Caroline Peper has also been crucial, emerging as a sharpshooter capable of changing the momentum of games. She notched a career-high 27 points this season and has been a reliable offensive weapon, particularly when the team has needed a scoring boost.
Under head coach Meg Barber, NYU has built its success on a foundation of teamwork, discipline and relentless defense. The team’s aggressive full-court press is a hallmark of its game, maintaining pressure even with large leads. Offensively, it thrives in transition and capitalize on forced turnovers, making them a nightmare matchup for any opponent.
Beyond the statistics, there is an emotional element to this March Madness run — this is the last dance for Pellecchia and Bruns, two of the most impactful players in program history. Bruns was just named UAA Player of the Year for the second consecutive year, and Pellecchia earned UAA Defensive Player of the Year for the fourth season straight. They’ve been the backbone of this team, leading NYU to back-to-back dominant seasons, and are determined to go out on top. With one final chance at a national championship, they look up to the challenge.
One of the few uncertainties for this team heading into the tournament is how it will respond to elite competition. While it has dominated every opponent — winning every game by double digits — the fact remains that the squad has yet to face a team currently ranked in the top 20. The closest test came against Carnegie Mellon University, when the Tartans managed to cut NYU’s lead to 10 points in the third quarter before the Violets pulled away.
As March Madness begins, the team will look to prove it is not just the best team in the UAA, but the best in the country. With its depth, discipline and defensive intensity, it has all the tools to complete a perfect season and bring home a national championship.
Contact Brian Sanchez at [email protected].
