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Underdog LIU Sharks Ride 'Fins Up' to NCAA Tournament

3/21/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The 'Fins Up' chant originated with Long Island University fans and went viral in the 2026 NCAA Tournament, created by Cameron Koffman and David Pochapin.
Under head coach Rod Strickland, the LIU Sharks have a 24–10 record and won the NEC title.
They enter the tournament as a No. 16 seed to face top-seeded Arizona, with 'Fins Up' symbolizing their underdog spirit.

History

Historical Context

The 1985 NCAA Tournament was historic as eighth-seed Villanova, led by coach Rollie Massimino, defeated top-seeded Georgetown 66-64 on April 1, marking one of the biggest upsets in college basketball history. Villanova's remarkable 78.6% shooting percentage in the final game exemplified the unpredictable nature of the tournament, inspiring future underdog teams like Long Island University to embrace their own journeys.

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Story summary

The 'Fins Up' chant originated with Long Island University fans and went viral in the 2026 NCAA Tournament, created by Cameron Koffman and David Pochapin.
Under head coach Rod Strickland, the LIU Sharks have a 24–10 record and won the NEC title.
They enter the tournament as a No. 16 seed to face top-seeded Arizona, with 'Fins Up' symbolizing their underdog spirit.

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