The 2025–26 basketball season for the Long Island University (LIU) Sharks has officially concluded. As of April 2026, the team is currently in the off-season. Following a historic run that included a Northeast Conference (NEC) Championship and an NCAA Tournament appearance, fans and alumni are reflecting on one of the program's most successful campaigns under the leadership of head coach Rod Strickland.

While the schedule for the upcoming 2026–27 season has not yet been finalized or released by the university athletics department, the complete record of the 2025–26 season serves as a testament to the team's growth. The Sharks finished the year with an impressive 24–11 overall record and a dominant 15–3 showing in conference play.

2025-26 LIU Men's Basketball Season Highlights

The 2025–26 campaign was marked by consistent performance and high-stakes victories. After navigating a challenging non-conference slate that featured four "Power 4" opponents on the road, the Sharks found their rhythm in Northeast Conference play.

Key milestones of the season included:

  • NEC Regular Season Title: Finishing first in the conference standings with a 15–3 record.
  • NEC Tournament Championship: Securing the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament after a thrilling postseason run at the Steinberg Wellness Center.
  • NCAA Tournament Appearance: Earning a #16 seed in the West region, where they faced the #1 seeded Arizona Wildcats.

Complete 2025-26 Regular Season and Postseason Schedule

Below is the comprehensive game log for the LIU Sharks during the 2025-26 season, including non-conference matchups, conference play, and postseason results.

Date Opponent Location Result Score Record
Nov 3, 2025 @ Notre Dame South Bend, IN Loss 67-89 0-1
Nov 6, 2025 @ IU Indy Indianapolis, IN Win 94-90 1-1
Nov 11, 2025 @ Air Force USAF Academy, CO Win 76-72 2-1
Nov 15, 2025 James Madison Brooklyn, NY Win 88-79 3-1
Nov 20, 2025 @ Fordham Bronx, NY Loss 53-69 3-2
Nov 22, 2025 @ #8 Illinois Urbana-Champaign, IL Loss 58-98 3-3
Nov 24, 2025 vs. Missouri State Urbana-Champaign, IL Win 75-61 4-3
Dec 2, 2025 Winthrop Brooklyn, NY Loss (OT) 92-94 4-4
Dec 6, 2025 @ Lehigh Bethlehem, PA Win 87-82 5-4
Dec 13, 2025 La Salle Brooklyn, NY Win 70-60 6-4
Dec 16, 2025 @ Mississippi State Starkville, MS Loss 83-87 6-5
Dec 20, 2025 @ Florida International Miami, FL Loss 79-86 6-6
Dec 29, 2025 @ #23 Georgia Athens, GA Loss 74-89 6-7
Jan 2, 2026 Central Connecticut Brooklyn, NY Win 84-78 7-7 (1-0)
Jan 4, 2026 @ Chicago State Chicago, IL Win 74-55 8-7 (2-0)
Jan 8, 2026 Mercyhurst Brooklyn, NY Win 60-58 9-7 (3-0)
Jan 10, 2026 Saint Francis (PA) Brooklyn, NY Win 67-63 10-7 (4-0)
Jan 17, 2026 @ FDU Teaneck, NJ Win 66-59 11-7 (5-0)
Jan 19, 2026 @ Le Moyne Syracuse, NY Loss 77-83 11-8 (5-1)
Jan 23, 2026 @ Stonehill Easton, MA Win 66-63 12-8 (6-1)
Jan 29, 2026 Le Moyne Brooklyn, NY Win 83-61 13-8 (7-1)
Jan 31, 2026 @ Central Connecticut New Britain, CT Win 80-59 14-8 (8-1)
Feb 5, 2026 New Haven Brooklyn, NY Win 60-55 15-8 (9-1)
Feb 7, 2026 Stonehill Brooklyn, NY Win 61-54 16-8 (10-1)
Feb 12, 2026 @ Wagner Staten Island, NY Win 67-57 17-8 (11-1)
Feb 14, 2026 @ New Haven West Haven, CT Loss 52-55 17-9 (11-2)
Feb 16, 2026 Wagner Brooklyn, NY Win 83-65 18-9 (12-2)
Feb 19, 2026 @ Saint Francis (PA) Loretto, PA Win 91-89 19-9 (13-2)
Feb 21, 2026 @ Mercyhurst Erie, PA Loss 83-91 19-10 (13-3)
Feb 26, 2026 Chicago State Brooklyn, NY Win 73-56 20-10 (14-3)
Feb 28, 2026 FDU Brooklyn, NY Win 74-60 21-10 (15-3)
Mar 4, 2026 Chicago State (NEC QF) Brooklyn, NY Win 79-75 22-10
Mar 7, 2026 Wagner (NEC SF) Brooklyn, NY Win 64-56 23-10
Mar 10, 2026 Mercyhurst (NEC Final) Brooklyn, NY Win 79-70 24-10
Mar 20, 2026 vs. #1 Arizona (NCAA) Salt Lake City, UT Loss 58-92 24-11

Analysis of Season Performance

The non-conference schedule was designed by Coach Strickland to test the Sharks against elite competition. The road stretch in late December against SEC and ACC schools provided the necessary experience that translated into a dominant conference run. Following a three-game losing streak to close out December, LIU opened January with five consecutive wins.

The defense was a focal point for the Sharks this season. Holding opponents to an average of 71.1 points per game was crucial during their late-season surge. In the NEC Tournament, the Sharks utilized their home-court advantage at the Steinberg Wellness Center to secure three straight victories, culminated by a hard-fought win over Mercyhurst to clinch the championship.

How to Find the 2026-27 LIU Basketball Schedule

As the university transitions into the 2026-27 academic year, fans can expect the new schedule to be released in phases:

  1. Non-Conference Schedule: Typically announced in June or July.
  2. Conference Schedule (NEC): Usually finalized by the Northeast Conference and the school in late August or early September.
  3. Season Tickets: Information regarding season tickets and renewals is generally made available alongside the non-conference schedule announcement.

To stay updated, it is recommended to monitor the LIU Athletics official website and official social media channels for the most current information regarding tip-off times and ticket availability.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who is the head coach of LIU men's basketball?

The team is currently led by Rod Strickland, who has been instrumental in the program's recent success and its 2026 NCAA Tournament appearance.

Where do the LIU Sharks play their home games?

Most home games are held at the Steinberg Wellness Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. Occasionally, high-profile matchups or doubleheaders may be hosted at the Barclays Center.

How did LIU do in the 2026 NCAA Tournament?

LIU earned a #16 seed in the West region. They faced the #1 seeded Arizona Wildcats in the first round on March 20, 2026, where they were defeated 92-58.

When will the 2026-2027 basketball schedule be released?

Official schedules for the 2026-27 season are expected to be released during the summer of 2026, starting with non-conference opponents in June.

Summary

The 2025-26 LIU men's basketball season was a landmark year for the program, finishing with a 24-11 record and an NEC Championship. While the team is currently in the off-season, fans can look back at a season defined by a strong 15-3 conference record and an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. For the upcoming 2026-27 season, schedules are expected to be announced mid-2026. Stay tuned to official athletic department updates for information on the next chapter of Sharks basketball.