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They were the Long Island University Blackbirds for the longest time. However, when the LIU Brooklyn Blackbirds and LIU Post Pioneers merged as schools, the Long Island University Sharks were born starting with the 2019-20 college basketball season. The campus is in Brooklyn, New York. For a small school, the team certainly has an interesting coaching history with one a Pro Basketball Hall of Famer, another having gone on to the NBA and another having starred in the Association. This is LIU's eighth appearance in the Division I NCAA tournament and it is looking for its first win.
Decades and decades ago, the Blackbirds were a national power under famed coach Clair Bee. He was 360-80 in 18 seasons. Per the Pro Basketball Hall of Fame: Under Bee, LIU became a national power, winning 43 consecutive games, including undefeated seasons in 1935-36 and 1938-39. Three teams between 1935 and 1941 were "retroactively" ranked as the country's top team. That said, the program was stopped after a point-shaving scandal in 1951.
The late Roy Rubin coached LIU from 1965-72. He went 122-55 before leaving for the Philadelphia 76ers. That move did not work out. Rubin was 4-47 as coach in the NBA. That 76ers team was known as the worst in Association history as it finished 9-73. After basketball, Rubin eventually became the owner of an IHOP restaurant in Florida.
The Sharks are currently coached by Rod Strickland, who was the 19th overall pick by the New York Knicks out of DePaul in the 1988 NBA draft. Strickland played for nine NBA teams from 1988-2005. He averaged 13.2 points and 7.3 assists in his NBA career.
Rod Strickland is the godfather to NBA star Kyrie Irving.
The Sharks went 24-10 and won the NEC tournament by downing Mercyhurst. The tourney final mattered not because Mercyhurst was ineligible for the Big Dance this season because they are making the transition to Division 1.
To the surprise of no one, given they are coached by a former star NBA guard, the Sharks' top four scorers play in the backcourt. Jamal Fuller leads tha way at 16.4 points per game, followed by Malachi Davis at 14.4 ppg, Greg Gordon (14.1) and Jomo Goings (10.0).
Blue and gold.
This article originally appeared on The List Wire: March Madness look at No. 16 seed LIU, from mascot to coach
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LIU has rich basketball history
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Decades and decades ago, the Blackbirds were a national power under famed coach Clair Bee. He was 360-80 in 18 seasons. Per the Pro Basketball Hall of Fame: Under Bee, LIU became a national power, winning 43 consecutive games, including undefeated seasons in 1935-36 and 1938-39. Three teams between 1935 and 1941 were "retroactively" ranked as the country's top team. That said, the program was stopped after a point-shaving scandal in 1951.
LIU coach went on to NBA
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The late Roy Rubin coached LIU from 1965-72. He went 122-55 before leaving for the Philadelphia 76ers. That move did not work out. Rubin was 4-47 as coach in the NBA. That 76ers team was known as the worst in Association history as it finished 9-73. After basketball, Rubin eventually became the owner of an IHOP restaurant in Florida.
Current coach also has NBA history
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The Sharks are currently coached by Rod Strickland, who was the 19th overall pick by the New York Knicks out of DePaul in the 1988 NBA draft. Strickland played for nine NBA teams from 1988-2005. He averaged 13.2 points and 7.3 assists in his NBA career.
Who is Strickland's godson?
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Rod Strickland is the godfather to NBA star Kyrie Irving.
How did LIU earn its way into NCAA tournament?
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The Sharks went 24-10 and won the NEC tournament by downing Mercyhurst. The tourney final mattered not because Mercyhurst was ineligible for the Big Dance this season because they are making the transition to Division 1.
Guards lead the Sharks attack
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To the surprise of no one, given they are coached by a former star NBA guard, the Sharks' top four scorers play in the backcourt. Jamal Fuller leads tha way at 16.4 points per game, followed by Malachi Davis at 14.4 ppg, Greg Gordon (14.1) and Jomo Goings (10.0).
What are the school colors?
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Blue and gold.
This article originally appeared on The List Wire: March Madness look at No. 16 seed LIU, from mascot to coach
Continue reading...
