"Long Island University was the first team to clinch a spot in the annual tournament. The Sharks did so by defeating Wagner in the NEC Tournament Semifinals. This was because their opponent in the championship game, Mercyhurst, is ineligible to compete in the NCAA Tournament. The Sharks earned their first spot in March Madness since combining their two campuses' athletic programs (Brooklyn and Post)."
"Freshman Preston Edmead banked home a game winning three-pointer in overtime of the semifinal game against Towson, and the next day Edmead scored 26 points en route to a 75-69 Hofstra victory in the CAA Championship versus Monmouth. Hofstra won the CAA in 2020 but due to the cancellation of the tournament that season the Hempstead-based school will make their first official March Madness appearance since 2001."
"Siena also ended a long drought when they stamped their ticket to the dance for the first time since making it in 2010. Siena, which is located just north of Albany, took down top-seeded Merrimack in the MAAC Championship by a score of 64-54. The Saints are led by sophomore guard, Gavin Doty, who averages just under 18 points per game with seven rebounds."
The 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament will feature four teams from New York: Long Island, Hofstra, Siena, and St. John's. This marks the first time two Long Island schools compete in March Madness together. Long Island University defeated Wagner in the NEC Tournament Semifinals to secure their first tournament appearance since merging their Brooklyn and Post campuses. Hofstra won the CAA Championship with freshman Preston Edmead hitting a game-winning three-pointer in the semifinal and scoring 26 points in the championship game, marking their first official tournament appearance since 2001. Siena ended a 16-year drought by defeating top-seeded Merrimack 64-54 in the MAAC Championship, led by sophomore guard Gavin Doty. St. John's also qualified for the tournament.
#ncaa-tournament-2026 #new-york-basketball #march-madness #college-basketball #tournament-qualification
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