Undefeated Pioneers Head to NCAA Elite Eight, Rallying Campus Community

A historic season for Cal State East Bay men’s basketball continues this week as the undefeated Pioneers take the national stage.

The team enters the NCAA Division II Elite Eight with a perfect 33–0 record, making it the only undefeated men’s basketball team remaining in the NCAA. The Pioneers will play on Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. PT in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with a spot in the Final Four on the line.

The milestone marks a defining moment for the university — one that has already brought the campus and broader East Bay community together in a way not seen in decades.

The Pioneers’ success is also earning national recognition. Head coach Bryan Rooney was recently named Coach of the Year by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC). Senior guard Tyree Campbell was named to the 2025–26 NABC Division II All-America Team, one of just 16 players nationwide to receive the honor — a distinction that highlights both his individual excellence and the growing national presence of Cal State East Bay’s program.

Yet, what defines this team extends beyond awards and achievements.

When the Pioneers take the court in Pittsburgh, their shoes will have purple laces in support of Cal State East Bay softball student-athlete Jailyn Cook, who was recently diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Cook has remained an active presence around the program, and the team’s tribute reflects the strength and support of the Pioneer community.

Back on campus, the Pioneer community will once again come together to support the team. A watch party will be held on Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. in the North University Union (near Wild Blue), featuring free food for the first 100 students, along with raffles and giveaways.

The game will be streamed live on ESPEN+, with postgame interviews and highlights available on the Cal State East Bay Athletics YouTube channel.

For CSUEB, this moment represents more than a postseason run. It’s a shared experience — one that has united the campus, energized the community and put the university on the national stage.

And it’s not over yet.