LIU Sharks earn March Madness matchup with No. 1 seed Arizona

Rod Strickland's NEC champion Sharks will take their viral 'Fins Up' celebration to San Diego for the NCAA Tournament

Mar. 16, 2026 at 1:04am

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The LIU Sharks men's basketball team captured the NEC championship and earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, where they will face top-seeded Arizona in the first round in San Diego. Led by head coach Rod Strickland, the Sharks are making their first March Madness appearance since 2018 after going from just 3 wins in Strickland's first season to 24 victories this year.

Why it matters

The Sharks' remarkable turnaround under Strickland's leadership and the team's viral 'Fins Up' celebration have captured national attention, making them a Cinderella story to watch in the NCAA Tournament. Their underdog status against powerhouse Arizona adds to the intrigue of the matchup.

The details

The Sharks secured the NEC's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament by winning the conference tournament, led by standout performances from senior guard Malachi Davis, first-team All-NEC selections Jamal Fuller and Shadrak Lasu, and NEC Defensive Player of the Year Greg Gordon. The team's spirited fan section, known as 'The Reef', has also gained a following for its 'Fins Up' tradition that has spread to other college basketball programs.

  • The Sharks won the NEC championship game on Tuesday, March 12, 2026.
  • LIU will face Arizona in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday, March 21, 2026 in San Diego.

The players

Rod Strickland

The head coach of the LIU Sharks, who has led the team's remarkable turnaround from 3 wins in his first season to 24 victories this year and an NCAA Tournament berth.

Malachi Davis

A senior guard for the LIU Sharks who scored 24 points in the NEC championship game.

Greg Gordon

A UAB transfer who was named the NEC Defensive Player of the Year in his first season with the Sharks and earned the NEC Tournament MVP award.

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What they’re saying

“Just seeing LIU back on that board, knowing us as a group — at the beginning of this season, we talked about being here — and then actually seeing it is a great feeling for everyone in the room.”

— Rod Strickland, Head Coach

“It feels earned. We came out and showed them why we deserve to go to the Dance.”

— Malachi Davis, Senior Guard

“No one really believed in us. Coach [Strickland], he genuinely believed in us — like every single player. I've never seen him give up on a single person on our team.”

— Greg Gordon, NEC Defensive Player of the Year

What’s next

The Sharks will face the top-seeded Arizona Wildcats in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday, March 21, 2026 in San Diego.

The takeaway

The LIU Sharks' remarkable turnaround under coach Rod Strickland and their viral 'Fins Up' celebration have made them a Cinderella story to watch in the NCAA Tournament, as they prepare to take on powerhouse Arizona in the first round.