When fans across the country begin filling out their brackets for the upcoming NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament, many on Long Island will notice several familiar names.
Local supporters will be watching closely as Hofstra Pride men's basketball and LIU Sharks men's basketball both prepare to go dancing in March. They will join other New York programs, including the St. John's Red Storm men's basketball and the Siena Saints men's basketball, giving the state strong representation in this year’s tournament field.
Despite its name, Long Island University is located in Brooklyn. The Sharks earned an automatic berth into the tournament before the conference championship game due to Mercyhurst Lakers men's basketball being ineligible during its NCAA reclassification period. Still, the Sharks were not satisfied with simply receiving the bid.
Under head coach Rod Strickland, LIU went on to win the Northeast Conference championship game on its home floor, making a statement before heading into the national tournament. The victory sends the Sharks back to the Big Dance for the first time since 2018.
For Hofstra, the journey back to the tournament carries an especially emotional storyline. The Pride are headed to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2001, when the program was led by head coach Jay Wright.
Today, the team is coached by Speedy Claxton, who once played for Wright at Hofstra. After securing the tournament berth, Claxton was visibly emotional on the court, celebrating the moment as he led his alma mater back to the national stage.
For Long Island basketball fans, the upcoming tournament will offer more than just bracket predictions — it will feature several teams with strong local ties and compelling stories.