PITTSBURGH, Pa. - Pioneers, by definition, are the first to explore a new area, and the 2025-2026 men's basketball team has lived up to its name. Cal State East Bay enters the uncharted territory of the Elite Eight for the first time in school history. Records have fallen on the road to Pittsburgh as the Pioneers set new program records for wins, the longest winning streak, and the highest national ranking. 

The nation's only undefeated men's basketball team, at any level (33-0), has earned the #2 seed and will battle #7 Oklahoma Baptist (30-3) on Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. PT. The action goes down at the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse on the campus of Duquesne University.

Fans can watch all the drama live on ESPN+ (subscription required). Follow the live stats on the NCAA College Men's Basketball Scoreboard.

The winner of the game will advance to face either Michigan Tech or Gannon in the Final Four on Friday, March 27, at 3 p.m. PT.

Pioneer Plots

• More Hardware: Tyree Campbell and head coach Bryan Rooney will have to make more room in their trophy cases as both were honored this week by the National Association of Basketball Coaches. Campbell was named to the All-District First Team, and Rooney was named District Coach of the Year.

• The Steal City: Tyree Campbell needs just one steal to tie for 5th place on the all-time leaderboard. 

• From Deep: Ramsey Huff, a four-year Pioneer, needs four more made three-point field goals to rank 2nd in school history. Tyree Campbell isn't far behind, ranked 6th. 

• Fresh Faces: After vanquishing two CCAA opponents in the West Regional, East Bay will square off vs. Oklahoma Baptist for the first time in school history. 

• When One Door Closes: After CCAA rival Sonoma State shuttered its athletics program last year, both Matthew Williams and Terence Haywood made the short trip to Hayward, where they have been valuable additions. 

• We Are Family: While the East Bay roster is as close as family, Tyree Campbell and Amare Campbell are actual brothers. Amare joined the team this season after transferring in from the Division I University of the Pacific. 

• Two Timer: Assistant Coach Craig Ashmore played for the Pioneers in 1985-1986, the last time they won a regional title.

• Defense Wins: Strong defense is the Pioneers' calling card; they rank sixth in the nation in scoring defense, seventh in three-point field goal percentage defense and 14th in forcing turnovers.

• Lightning in a Bottle: The Pioneers won 11 games a year ago, making this season a 22-win turnaround. This run is one of the best turnarounds in college basketball history. For comparison's sake, the Division I record is 19. 

• Set the Alarm: Wednesday's game will be the first East Bay game played outside the Pacific Time Zone since the 2016-2017 season.

• English Eraser: England native Joshua Ijeh has been a problem in the paint for opponents; his 52 blocked shots rank him 26th nationally. 

• Throw it Down: Payden White was named a State Farm Dark Horse Dunker, reserved for Division II's 16 best high flyers.

• Mount Rushmore: Tyree Campbell is ranked 4th in school history in scoring. 

• Less is More: Tyree Campbell posted the highest scoring average of his career this year, despite playing the fewest minutes per game of his three seasons.

Bison Bits

• The Champs Are Here: The Bison captured their first-ever NCAA Division II Central Region Championship, defeating Minnesota Duluth 80-76. 

• Representing Well: They also became the first Great American Conference (GAC) men's team to advance to the Elite Eight.

• Rewriting the Records: Oklahoma Baptist's 30 wins mark the most in its Division II era. The Bison climbed as high as No. 6 in the NABC national rankings, also a school record.

• Coach 'Em Up: Head Coach Jason Eaker was honored as GAC Coach of the Year for the second time.

• Big Man on Campus: Terry Coner Jr. was named GAC Player of the Year, Central Region Tournament MVP and received NABC All-District honors. 

• Team Effort: Teammates Christian Hodge, Joshua Udoumoh, and Austin Coner joined Terry Coner Jr. on the Central Region All-Tournament Team.

• Going Streaking: The Bison rattled off an 18-game winning streak during the season.

• Lockdown: Defense and rebounding have defined OBU's success. The Bison rank 36th nationally in scoring defense, 32nd in scoring margin, and 25th in field-goal percentage defense.

• Taking Care: Efficiency has also been a strength: the Bison average just 9.8 turnovers per game, ranking eighth-best nationally in Division II.