LIU 'Fins Up', explained: How two Sharks basketball superfans built March Madness breakout tradition

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...