LIU Sharks Head to NCAA Tournament
The auditorium at Long Island University, typically quiet on Tuesdays, buzzed with energy on Selection Sunday, resembling a lively gathering more than a classroom.
The university’s marching band and cheer squad filled the space, alongside the men’s basketball team, all brimming with excitement for what March would bring.
Then, chaos erupted.
Rod Strickland’s NEC champion Sharks are bringing their celebrated “Fins Up” tradition to the NCAA Tournament, securing the No. 16 seed in the West. They face top-seeded Arizona in a first-round game set for Friday in San Diego.
This marks LIU’s return to March Madness since 2018 and their first under Strickland, a former Knicks player.
“Arizona is an excellent team,” Strickland mentioned after the announcement, though he admitted that he was mostly focused on seeing “LIU” on the CBS broadcast.
“It’s incredible to see LIU back on that screen and acknowledging us as a team. At the start of the season, we talked about reaching this point, and here we are—it’s an amazing feeling for all of us.”
The Sharks’ excitement didn’t stem from surprise; they were the first team chosen for the tournament, a result of a strong regular season and an unusual path. With Mercyhurst moving from Division II to Division I, LIU’s win over Wagner in the NEC semifinals clinched their automatic NCAA spot, even without winning a conference title.
And, just to clarify, they won that title too.
On Tuesday night, the top-seeded Sharks (24-10, 15-3 NEC) cemented their status with a 79-70 win over the Lakers, clinching the seventh NEC championship in the program’s history.
“I feel like we earned this,” said senior guard Malachi Davis, who tallied 24 points in the championship match. “We showed everyone why we belong in this tournament.”
The upcoming game against the No. 2-ranked Wildcats (32-2, 16-2 in the Big 12) reflects a significant improvement under Strickland, who transformed the team from just three wins in his inaugural season to 24 this year.
After narrowly missing out on a conference title last season, this motivated group evolved into key players under Strickland’s leadership. Returning All-NEC first-teamers like Davis and Jamal Fuller, along with standout big man Shadrach Russ, helped LIU capture its first regular-season title since 2011-12.
Greg Gordon, a transfer from UAB, earned the NEC Defensive Player of the Year in his first season and was honored as the tournament MVP, contributing 24 points and four assists against Mercyhurst.
Strickland, at 59, received the NEC Coach of the Year accolade.
“Nobody really believed in us,” Gordon reflected post-game. “But Coach Strickland—like all of us—had faith in our potential. I’ve never seen him give up on anyone.”
LIU’s unexpected journey to the NCAA Tournament has captured national interest. A segment of the team, founded in 2023 by friends Cameron Coffman and David Pochapin, sparked excitement online earlier this month with their unique free throw ritual called “Fins Up.”
This simple hand gesture has taken off, even being adopted by Nebraska’s student section during their final regular-season game against Iowa.
After winning the NEC title, Coffman and Pochapin confirmed that “The Leaf” will be part of their March Madness experience alongside “America’s Team,” inviting college basketball fans everywhere to join the excitement.
“Wherever we go, everyone is ‘finning up,'” Pochapin said during the NEC trophy celebration. “We welcome everyone, whether you’re a Nebraska fan or not. If you’re into basketball, you’re one of us.”
Nevertheless, defeating the Wildcats, who launched their season with a staggering 23-0 record and rank highly nationally, will require more than just an enthusiastic atmosphere.
But the Sharks, radiating confidence and grit from New York, aren’t shying away from the challenge.
“Our team is fearless,” Gordon stated after the NEC title game. “We’re here to make our presence known.”
