Something special is happening inside an NYU gym — both the university’s men’s and women’s basketball teams are having historic seasons.

At 53 straight wins, the women’s team has the longest active winning streak in all of NCAA basketball — men’s or women’s — at any level.


What You Need To Know

  • Both New York University’s men’s and women’s basketball teams are having historic seasons

  • At 53 straight wins, the women’s team has the longest active winning streak in all of NCAA basketball — men’s or women’s — at any level

  • The streak dates back to last year, when they capped off an undefeated season with a DIII national championship
  • The men's team is ranked first in their conference and second in the nation

When asked about it, the team indicated they haven’t talked about it much.

“I think 50 if I had to guess?” Jamie Behar said.

“I know we hit 50 recently…” Natalie Bruns said.

“Over 50? I know it’s something around there,” Belle Pellecchia said.

The streak dates back to last year, when they capped off an undefeated season with a Division III national championship.

Their last regular season loss was in January 2022.

“Everybody really embraces their role and you know when that happens, it leads to really positive things. We just happen to have a lot of talent on top of that,” Meg Barber, head coach of NYU women’s basketball, said.

Meanwhile, next door, the men’s team is doing big things too. They’re now ranked first in their conference and second in the nation.

“On any night, it could be anyone scoring, so that’s a unique part of our team. It’s like you don’t know who to guard because we all are able to put the ball in a basket,” team member Emmanuel Onuama said.

The two teams feed off each other's success. They’re both great friends — and fans — of the other.

They practice on parallel courts. They play back-to-back games.

“When we were playing Wash U [Washington University in St. Louis] last Friday, Brock Susko won the game winner off like a buzzer beater and [it] was just like so fun to be [there.] Like we were literally coming on the court afterwards, just like you could feel the excitement and the fans,” Pellecchia said.

The teams even travel together for away games.

“We could use a couple more seats on the bus. They have some long legs,” Barber said.

“I know they hate when we come in there and just float everywhere with our long legs, but we make it work,” Onuama said.

Dave Klatsky, the men’s basketball coach, says the DIII level is bigger than basketball.

“You don’t have all that fanfare,” he said. “These kids are playing for the love of the game and putting their heart and soul into something that might not come along with 25,000 people in the stands and NIL money and everybody talking about you.”

But the program’s success this season certainly deserves to be talked about.

“I’m really happy to say that I left it better than I received it. That’s something that I’m really proud of,” Zay Freeney, the men’s basketball captain, said.

“It’s pretty powerful, yeah. I mean, that’s the kind of stuff you reflect on after the season, just kind of like a ‘wow’ moment,” Barber said.