The Long Island University men's basketball team concluded the 2025-26 season with a first-round loss to No. 1 seed University of Arizona in the NCAA Tournament, ending the game 92-58. Junior Mason Porter-Brown led the Sharks with 15 points, while senior Greg Gordon and graduate student Jamal Fuller contributed 12 and 11 points, respectively. The team clinched its seventh NEC title and first NCAA appearance in this era, finishing the regular season with a 15-3 record. LIU also excelled in the NEC awards, with Coach Rod Strickland earning Coach of the Year honors and Gordon named Defensive Player of the Year.

By the Numbers
  • LIU finished the season with a 24-11 overall record and a 15-3 NEC record.
  • The Sharks led the NEC in blocks per game with an average of 5.4, ranking 10th in Division I.
State of Play
  • LIU entered the NCAA tournament as the NEC automatic qualifier after winning the NEC tournament.
  • LIU's victory over Mercyhurst in the NEC championship secured its eighth overall tournament appearance.
What's Next

Looking ahead, LIU will aim to build on this season's successes by developing talent and maintaining competitiveness in the NEC. Continued focus on player development and recruiting will be critical in solidifying their status as a top contender for future NCAA appearances.

Bottom Line

LIU鈥檚 strong performance, highlighted by conference titles and key individual awards, sets a promising foundation for future seasons, showing that the Sharks are emerging as a formidable force in NCAA basketball.