Long Island University Dominates Chicago State in NCAAB Showdown
Sunday, January 4, 2026, 2:00 PM ET · Jones Convocation Center
Long Island University Sharks 74, Chicago State Cougars 55, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
The next free pick, for your email
Team, bet, price and the hash it was sealed under, on this page the moment you send. Lose or win, it stays public.
or by email
Public record of the main pick, losses included: 115 won, 44 lost. See every pick
One free pick a day by email until you unsubscribe, in one click. 21+.
Quick answers
Who won Long Island University Sharks vs Chicago State Cougars?
Long Island University Sharks beat Chicago State Cougars 74-55 at Jones Convocation Center on January 4, 2026.
Who was favored in Long Island University Sharks vs Chicago State Cougars?
Long Island University Sharks were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -355 (about 78% implied). The favorite won.
In a decisive victory, the Long Island University Sharks defeated the Chicago State Cougars 74-55 at the Jones Convocation Center on January 4, 2026. This matchup showcased the disparity in the teams' recent performances, with LIU coming off a win and Chicago State struggling with a three-game losing streak.
The Cougars entered the game with a home record of 2-13 and had lost eight of their last ten games, recording a streak of L3. They averaged 65.6 points scored while allowing 80.1 points per game during this stretch. Their last five games had seen them score an average of 64.4 points, with an average of 80.6 points allowed, indicating significant defensive vulnerabilities. Their most recent game was a loss against the Wagner Seahawks, where they fell 72-79.
On the other hand, the Sharks held an away record of 8-7, with a recent record of 4-6 over their last ten games, including a one-game winning streak. They averaged 75.5 points scored and allowed 80.4 points during this period. In their last five games, they scored an average of 78.0 points while allowing 80.0 points. Their latest outing was a victory over the Central Connecticut Blue Devils, where they won 84-78.
Historically, the matchup has been competitive, with LIU leading the head-to-head record 2-1 against Chicago State. In their previous meetings during the 2025 season, the Cougars won once at home with a score of 73-67, while the Sharks took the other two encounters, including a 68-57 victory in the most recent matchup on March 6, 2025.
In terms of injuries, the block did not specify any players missing from either team, suggesting that both squads were at full strength for this contest. The betting market reflected LIU's advantage, with DraftKings setting the odds at LIU -7.5, indicating a strong expectation for the Sharks to cover the spread. The total for the game was set at 151.5, with both the over and under priced at -110.0.
Conditions in the arena were typical for a January evening, with no adverse weather conditions reported that would affect the game. As the game unfolded, viewers witnessed a strong performance from LIU, particularly in the second half, where they pulled away decisively. Key scoring plays included a 21-foot jumper from Stephen Byard and several dunks from Greg Gordon and Jamal Fuller, which highlighted the Sharks' offensive prowess.
Chicago State struggled to keep pace, ultimately unable to match LIU's scoring output, and their defensive weaknesses were further exposed as the game progressed. The final score of 74-55 underscored the Sharks' dominance and the challenges facing the Cougars as they continue to seek improvement in their season.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | LIU -7.5 | 151.5 o -110 / u -110 | Long Island University Sharks -355 · Chicago State Cougars +280 |
Leaders
- PointsMarcus Tankersley10Chicago State Cougars
- AssistsBraelon Bush3Chicago State Cougars
- ReboundsMarcus Tankersley6Chicago State Cougars
- PointsJamal Fuller21Long Island University Sharks
- AssistsJamal Fuller5Long Island University Sharks
- ReboundsJamal Fuller7Long Island University Sharks
Recent form
Chicago State Cougars
Last 10: 2-8Streak L365.6 scored · 80.1 allowed per game1-1 at home
- L72-79vs Wagner SeahawksJan 3
- L58-78at Indiana HoosiersDec 20
- L55-76at Bowling Green FalconsDec 17
- W84-75at Loyola Chicago RamblersDec 14
- L53-95at Illinois State RedbirdsDec 7
- W85-62vs Saint Xavier CougarsDec 1
- L64-87at Youngstown State PenguinsNov 28
- L77-90at Purdue Fort Wayne MastodonsNov 26
- L54-93at Iowa HawkeyesNov 21
- L54-66at Minnesota Golden GophersNov 19
Long Island University Sharks
Last 10: 4-6Streak W175.5 scored · 80.4 allowed per game2-5 away
- W84-78vs Central Connecticut Blue DevilsJan 3
- L74-89at Georgia BulldogsDec 30
- L79-86at Florida International PanthersDec 20
- L83-87at Mississippi State BulldogsDec 17
- W70-60vs La Salle ExplorersDec 13
- W87-82at Lehigh Mountain HawksDec 6
- L92-94vs Winthrop EaglesDec 3
- W75-61at Missouri State BearsNov 25
- L58-98at Illinois Fighting IlliniNov 22
- L53-69at Fordham RamsNov 21
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long Island University | 24-11 | - | 15-3 |
| Central Connecticut | 18-12 | 3 | 12-6 |
| Mercyhurst | 17-17 | 5 | 10-8 |
| Le Moyne | 15-17 | 5 | 10-8 |
| New Haven | 14-17 | 6 | 9-9 |
| Wagner | 14-17 | 7 | 8-10 |
| Stonehill | 12-21 | 7 | 8-10 |
| Fairleigh Dickinson | 11-21 | 7 | 8-10 |
| Saint Francis | 7-24 | 10 | 5-13 |
| Chicago State | 7-25 | 10 | 5-13 |
Box score
| Stat | Long Island University Sharks | Chicago State Cougars |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 28-53 | 21-62 |
| Field goal % | 53 | 34 |
| Three-pointers | 10-26 | 3-14 |
| Three-point % | 38 | 21 |
| Free throws | 8-12 | 10-16 |
| Free throw % | 67 | 63 |
| Rebounds | 40 | 31 |
| Offensive rebounds | 11 | 14 |
| Defensive rebounds | 29 | 17 |
| Assists | 20 | 11 |
| Steals | 6 | 12 |
| Blocks | 4 | 0 |
| Turnovers | 17 | 9 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 7 | 13 |
| Fast-break points | 18 | 12 |
| Points in the paint | 30 | 30 |
| Fouls | 14 | 14 |
| Largest lead | 21 | 0 |
| Lead changes | 0 | 0 |
| Time in front | 99 | 0 |
How the scoring went
- 1st Half32-24CJ Ray makes free throw 1 of 2
- 1st Half32-25CJ Ray makes free throw 2 of 2
- 1st Half32-27Dakari Thomas makes 4-foot hook shot (Daniel Zatsepin assists)
- 1st Half34-27Jamal Fuller makes 15-foot pullup jump shot
- 1st Half34-29Corey Sands makes layup (Joseph Owens assists)
- 1st Half37-29Jamal Fuller makes 25-foot three point jumper (Faheim Meran assists)
- 2nd Half37-31CJ Ray makes layup (Marcus Tankersley assists)
- 2nd Half38-31Jomo Goings makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half39-31Jomo Goings makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half42-31Jomo Goings makes 24-foot three point jumper (Malachi Davis assists)
- 2nd Half45-31Jamal Fuller makes 25-foot three point jumper (Jomo Goings assists)
- 2nd Half45-32CJ Ray makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half45-33CJ Ray makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half48-33Faheim Meran makes 27-foot three point jumper (Jamal Fuller assists)
- 2nd Half48-34Daniel Zatsepin makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half50-34Greg Gordon makes 3-foot dunk (Jamal Fuller assists)
- 2nd Half50-36CJ Ray makes 5-foot hook shot
- 2nd Half53-36Faheim Meran makes 24-foot three point jumper (Mason Porter-Brown assists)
- 2nd Half55-36Faheim Meran makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half55-38Marcus Tankersley makes layup (Braelon Bush assists)
- 2nd Half55-40Doyel Cockrill III makes 12-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half57-40Jamal Fuller makes 4-foot dunk (Jomo Goings assists)
- 2nd Half59-40Jomo Goings makes layup (Malachi Davis assists)
- 2nd Half59-41Marcus Tankersley makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half59-42Marcus Tankersley makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half59-44Marcus Tankersley makes 15-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half61-44Jamal Fuller makes layup (Greg Gordon assists)
- 2nd Half61-46CJ Ray makes 8-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half63-46Jamal Fuller makes layup (Faheim Meran assists)
- 2nd Half64-46Jamal Fuller makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half64-48Braelon Bush makes layup
- 2nd Half66-48Greg Gordon makes 2-foot dunk
- 2nd Half66-50Stephen Byard makes 21-foot jumper
- 2nd Half66-51Dakari Thomas makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half68-51Greg Gordon makes 2-foot dunk (Jomo Goings assists)
- 2nd Half68-53Malek Robinson makes layup
- 2nd Half70-53Greg Gordon makes 3-foot dunk
- 2nd Half72-53Jamal Fuller makes 3-foot dunk
- 2nd Half74-53Malachi Davis makes 11-foot pullup jump shot (Jamal Fuller assists)
- 2nd Half74-55Marcus Tankersley makes layup
Win probability
Above the line favours Chicago State Cougars, below favours Long Island University Sharks.
Venue
- Jones Convocation CenterChicago, IL
- Attendance272
- OfficialsErnest Hamilton III, Connor Mooney, Tony Santiago
Elsewhere
- Carson Crawford, No. 46 in '27 class, commits to Arizona St.
- Tennessee's Ralph Scott to have knee surgery, out at least 6 months
- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond
Picks for NCAAB
NCAAB rules and settlement
These two, other days
- Sharks Edge Cougars in Close ContestMar 4, 2026
- Long Island University Defeats Chicago State 73-56Feb 26, 2026