NEC regular-season and postseason champions, LIU, are in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in eight years. Despite the 30.5-point spread favoring their opponent, No. 1 seed and Big 12 champion Arizona, the LIU team believes they will win. The team's fan section, "The Reef," has become an internet sensation due to their popular “Fins Up” rallying cry. Guard Greg Gordon credits his team's success to coach Tobin Anderson, who guided Fairleigh Dickinson to a surprising upset of Purdue in the 2023 tournament. Since the tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985, only two No. 16 seeds have defeated a No. 2 seed in 161 tries.