Mercyhurst Lakers vs Long Island University Sharks Picks and Predictions for Tuesday March 10 2026
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The Mercyhurst Lakers and Long Island University Sharks meet in the Northeast Conference Tournament - Final on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at Steinberg Wellness Center in Brooklyn, New York. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET, and the game will be televised on ESPN2. At the time of this writing, the odds were not released. Be sure to check out our free college basketball picks for more betting analysis and daily college basketball insights.
Mercyhurst Riding Defensive Momentum into the NEC Title Game
Mercyhurst enters the championship matchup with a 17-16 overall record and a 10-8 mark in NEC play. The Lakers advanced to the title game after defeating Fairleigh Dickinson in the quarterfinal round and Stonehill in the semifinal. In their last five games, Mercyhurst has recently won over Stonehill, Fairleigh Dickinson, Stonehill again in overtime, and Long Island University, while recently losing to Central Connecticut State.
The Lakers have relied on balanced basketball throughout the season. Mercyhurst averages 69.3 points per game while allowing 67.0 points per contest. The team shoots 45% from the field, averages 32.7 rebounds per game, and records 14.6 assists per contest, which reflects solid ball movement. Defensively, the Lakers add 3.8 blocks and 7.3 steals per game, creating extra possessions through defensive pressure.
The biggest storyline from Mercyhurst’s semifinal victory was its defensive intensity in a low-scoring contest. In the 56-51 win over Stonehill, Cameron Johnson led the Lakers with 17 points, while Qadir Martin led the team with 9 rebounds. Mercyhurst also controlled the glass 40-34, which helped offset a difficult shooting night. That rebounding advantage and defensive effort will be crucial again against a strong LIU squad.
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LIU Aims to Finish Strong on Its Home Floor
Long Island University enters the NEC championship with a 23-10 overall record and a 15-3 conference mark, making the Sharks one of the top teams in the conference this season. LIU advanced to the final with wins over Central Connecticut State and Wagner in the tournament. Over their last five games, the Sharks have recently won over Wagner, Central Connecticut State, Fairleigh Dickinson, and Central Connecticut State again, while recently losing to Mercyhurst.
The Sharks have been one of the more efficient offensive teams in the NEC this season. LIU averages 73.9 points per game while allowing 71.2 points per contest. The team shoots 48% from the field, averages 35.0 rebounds per game, and records 13.6 assists per contest. Defensively, LIU contributes 5.4 blocks and 7.8 steals per game, giving them the ability to disrupt opposing offenses both inside and on the perimeter.
One key takeaway from LIU’s semifinal performance was the team’s resilience after a slow first half. In the 64-56 win over Wagner, Greg Gordon led the Sharks with 19 points, while Shadrak Lasu dominated the glass with 13 rebounds. LIU held Wagner to just 32% shooting from the field, showcasing its defensive strength. That defensive performance combined with their ability to protect the ball with only eight turnovers could be a major factor in the championship game.
Mercyhurst Lakers vs Long Island University Sharks Pick
Mercyhurst Lakers vs Long Island University Sharks Spread Pick
- Pick: Long Island University Sharks moneyline
LIU enters this championship matchup as the stronger overall team with the better offensive efficiency and the advantage of playing at home. The Sharks shoot 48% from the field and average nearly 74 points per game, giving them a slight scoring edge over Mercyhurst. While the Lakers have been strong defensively, LIU’s balance and ability to score from multiple areas should help them control this matchup.
Mercyhurst Lakers vs Long Island University Sharks Total Pick
- Pick: Under
I like the under in this matchup because both teams rely heavily on defense and physical play. Mercyhurst just played a 56-51 semifinal, and LIU held Wagner to 56 points in its semifinal victory. With the NEC title on the line, I expect both teams to slow the pace and focus on half-court execution, which should keep the scoring relatively low.
Final Score Prediction: Long Island University Sharks 68, Mercyhurst Lakers 61
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