The Coyotes have earned an at-large bid to the 2025-26 NJCAA Division II Men's Basketball National Championship Tournament, scheduled for March 16-21 at the Mary Miller Center in Danville, Illinois. Coastal Alabama - North, led by fifth year head coach Chuck Taylor, enters the national tournament ranked No. 23 in the country with a 24-9 overall record and will face Rockland Community College (N.Y.) in the opening round on Monday, March 16 as the No. 14 seed of the 20-team field.
The bid caps an outstanding season for the Coyotes, who captured both the Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC) Division II Regular Season Championship and the ACCC Division II Tournament Championship. Coastal - North finished with a dominant 15-1 conference record during the regular season before securing the tournament title in Talladega, Ala.
The Coyotes have been one of the hottest teams in the country down the stretch, losing just two games since Jan. 5. Their most recent contest came in the NJCAA Gulf South District Championship, where Coastal battled top-ranked Palm Beach State College (Fla.) in a tightly contested game, falling just 64-59.
Throughout the season, Coastal - North has proven it can compete with the nation's best teams. The Coyotes recorded a notable victory over then-No. 14 Mid-Michigan College, another team in the national tournament field, and defeated nationally-ranked Snead State (Ala.) three times during the year, including a win in the ACCC Championship final. Overall, the Coyotes have played three teams in this year's national tournament field, solidifying one of the stronger strength of schedules across the NJCAA.
Inside the Numbers
The Coyotes have been fueled by balanced scoring and strong defensive play throughout the season. Coastal - North is averaging 74.6 points per game while limiting opponents to just 67.0 points per contest and holding teams to 39.2 percent shooting from the field.
Sophomore guard Chimeziri Okeoma leads the Coyotes in scoring with 14.0 points per game, shooting 42.4 percent from the field and 82.2 percent from the free-throw line. He also leads the 'Yotes with 57 made three-pointers during the season.
Bryce Wilkins has been a dominant presence in the paint, averaging 13.0 points and a team-best 9.0 rebounds per game while shooting an efficient 59.7 percent from the field. Wilkins has also recorded 280 rebounds this season to anchor the Coyotes' frontcourt.
Point guard Eli Pippins has directed the offense throughout the year, averaging 11.3 points and 7.6 assists per game while dishing out 250 assists on the season, one of the top totals in the NJCAA. Pippins also contributes defensively with a team-high 73 steals.
The Coyotes' interior defense has been led by Bryson Holmes and Justin Burns. Holmes averages 7.6 points and 5.9 rebounds per game while recording a team-high 38 blocks, while Burns contributes 8.1 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 37 blocks on the season.
As a team, Coastal Alabama - North has also dominated the boards, averaging 43.5 rebounds per game compared to 27.5 for opponents.
National Tourney Bound
The Coyotes will open the national tournament against Rockland Community College (N.Y.) on Monday, March 16 at 1:00 p.m. CT. Rockland enters play 21-9 on the season, winning the East District B Championship to secure its spot in Danville, Ill.
Tip-off time for Monday's first-round contest will be announced by the NJCAA. The winner will advance in the 16-team national bracket as the Coyotes look to continue their historic season on the national stage.
Each game of the 2025-26 NJCAA Division II Men's Basketball National Championship Tournament will be aired live on the NJCAA Network.
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