STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The Wagner men's basketball team continues NEC play at home on Thursday, Feb. 12, hosting the LIU at 7 p.m. inside the Spiro Sports Center. The game will stream live on NEC Front Row with Joey Wahler and Ryan Peters on the call.

Thursday's contest marks the 14th all-time meeting between the programs, with Wagner holding an 8–5 series advantage. LIU swept last season's series, 2–0. The teams' first scheduled matchup this year on Jan. 25 was postponed to Feb. 16 due to weather conditions.

LIU (16–8, 10–1 NEC) enters the matchup following a 61–54 home victory over Stonehill Skyhawks. The Sharks, led by head coach Rod Strickland in his fourth season, were unanimously selected to finish first in the NEC Preseason Coaches' Poll. LIU ranks second in the conference in scoring (73.9 ppg) and first in blocks (5.42 bpg). Graduate student Jamal Fuller leads the team with 16.4 points per game (fourth in the NEC), while redshirt senior Malachi Davis adds 15.1 ppg (fifth in the league). Last season, LIU earned the No. 2 seed in the NEC Tournament before falling to Saint Francis, 71–68, in the semifinals.

Wagner (8–14, 3–8 NEC) looks to bounce back after a road loss at CCSU. Junior Eddie Placer poured in a season-high 26 points, connecting on 7-of-10 attempts from three-point range. Junior Bryan Akanmu added eight points and seven rebounds, while redshirt senior Jaden Baker, junior John Awoke, and junior Michael Cooper each contributed eight points.

The Seahawks rank second in the NEC in rebounding (36.8 rpg) and fourth in scoring (72.8 ppg). Jones leads the Green & White with 15.1 points per game, tied for fifth in the conference, and ranks tied for second in steals (1.7 spg). Redshirt senior Jaden Baker averages 3.6 assists per contest, fourth in the NEC.

Following Thursday's matchup, Wagner heads to Easton, Mass., to face Stonehill on Saturday, Feb. 14, at 2 p.m.