.jpg)
2 hours ago
4
While many bracket-busters rely on buzzer-beaters and high-seeded collapses, the 2026 NCAA Tournament has found its most infectious energy in a simple two-word chant: "Fins Up."
What began as a local tradition for the Long Island University Sharks has exploded into a nationwide viral sensation, with fans across the country adopting the signature move — clapping hands once above the head to mimic a shark’s dorsal fin. Originally popularized by "The Reef" fan section in Brooklyn, the gesture has transcended its mid-major roots, appearing in everything from celebrity TikToks to the student sections of major Power Five programs that don’t even share the shark mascot.
The "Fins Up" craze has become the definitive vibe of March, fueled by the Sharks’ dramatic turnaround under head coach and New York hoops legend Rod Strickland. As the No. 16 seed prepares to face top-seeded Arizona, the chant has transformed into a universal symbol for the tournament.
Whether the Sharks pull off the unthinkable or not, the trend has already secured its place in March Madness lore. Here’s more on the origins of the "Fins Up" chant.
SN's MARCH MADNESS HQ: Live NCAA bracket | TV schedule | Printable PDF
What is LIu's 'Fins UP'?
LIU’s "Fins Up" is a viral celebration and chant in which fans press their hands together above their heads to mimic a shark’s dorsal fin. While it has become a nationwide sensation during the 2026 NCAA Tournament, its origins are rooted in a small but dedicated fan section at Long Island University.
What started with just a few fans in the stands has grown into a major part of the university’s brand. They formed a cheering section known as "The Reef" at the Steinberg Wellness Center in Brooklyn. The "Fins Up" gesture began organically during opponents’ free-throw attempts to create a distracting, hostile environment.
— Pardon My Take (@PardonMyTake) March 7, 2026The celebration helped turn LIU's home court into a fortress, with the team going 11–1 at home during their 2025-26 breakout season. The team had a meteoric rise under head coach Rod Strickland, who led them to a 24–10 record and an NEC title in 2026
SN AWARDS: All-America team | Player of the Year | Coach of the Year
'Fins Up' videos
As LIU enjoyed its breakout season "Fins Up" became more and more popular, and the fan section kept on growing.
The first Fins UP 🦈 once again hit like crack pic.twitter.com/MhE7pnt2Cd
— Jeff Sunday (@TheDegenWeekly) March 10, 2026Fins Up for a trip to the Big Dance 🦈 pic.twitter.com/ZFPVdVBy7p
— Liam Blutman (@Blutman27) March 7, 2026Even "Winston the TickPick dog" got involved.
— Cameron Koffman (@Cameron2020NY) March 11, 2026HISTORY OF UPSETS BY SEED:
16 vs. 1 | 15 vs. 2 | 14 vs. 3 | 13 vs. 4 | 12 vs. 5
Who started 'Fins Up?'
The "Fins Up" sensation was started by two New York-based college basketball enthusiasts, Cameron Koffman and David Pochapin.
Interestingly, neither Koffman nor Pochapin actually attended the school. In early 2023, the two 25-year-old friends were looking for a local team to support and "adopted" the LIU Sharks at a time when the program was struggling, having won only three games that season.
The origin story of LIU’s legendary “Fins Up” is amazing 🦈🤝 pic.twitter.com/OOKKkFxl5D
— BlueBlooded (@BlueBloodedPod) March 9, 2026Koffman and Pochapin eventually co-founded the "Fins Up Collective" to support the program through NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) opportunities.
SN EXPERT BRACKETS: DeCourcy (Arizona) | Bender (Michigan) | Iyer (Arizona) | Gay (UCLA women)
LIU basketball record
The Sharks currently hold a 24–10 overall record for the 2025–26 season, marking a historic turnaround under head coach Rod Strickland.
After a dominant run through the Northeast Conference, the Sharks finished with a 15–3 conference record, securing the NEC regular-season title and the top seed in their tournament. They punched their ticket to the NCAA Tournament with a 79–70 victory over Mercyhurst in the NEC Championship game on March 10, extending their current winning streak to five games as they enter the national stage.
This 24-win campaign represents a meteoric rise for a program that was just 3–26 only three seasons ago. The Sharks have been particularly untouchable at home in Brooklyn, where they finished the season with a 14–1 record at the Steinberg Wellness Center, fueled by the viral "Fins Up" atmosphere. Now positioned as a No. 16 seed in the West Region, they are set to face No. 1 seed Arizona in San Diego, looking to become just the third 16-seed in history to upset a top-seeded opponent.
English (US)