CORVALLIS, Ore. – For the third and final time this season, the newly crowned 2023 NAIA men’s basketball champions, College of Idaho, was named the Under Armour Team of the Week for March 13 - 19 the Cascade Collegiate Conference announced Sunday.
The Coyotes ended the 2022-23 season on a win, just as they planned. To start the week, Junior Charles Elzie scored a career-high 25 points to lead College of Idaho to a 98-50 win over LSU-Shreveport in the NAIA Round of 16 on Monday. The Coyotes scored 29 of the first 42 of the second half to blow the game wide open.
Next, for the first time since 2019, College of Idaho headed to the Fab Four. Thanks to a 25-4 run to end the first half, the Coyotes pulled off another victory with an 83-66 score over Tougaloo College. Jake O'Neil, scored 16 first-half points en route to 20 points to lead C of I on Wednesday in the Quarterfinals.
Then, top-seeded College of Idaho had just enough to punch its ticket to the championship final with a 73-72 win over OUAZ (Ariz.) in the Semifinals. Charles Elzie led the Coyotes with 21 points on Friday.
Finally, after 27 years on Saturday, the Coyotes claimed the Championship title with a 73-71 victory over Indiana tech. One of the top five in average defensive scoring margin in the 2023 NAIA National Championship field, the team from Caldwell, Idaho held the Warriors to six points in the first eight minutes, which set the tone. Jake O’Neil led the Yotes with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Samaje Morgan added 13 points and Tyler Robinett chipped in 11.
The Coyotes rank sixth in the NAIA in scoring at 86.6 ppg. After losing the first game of the season, College of Idaho finished on a 36-game win streak.
After the game,
Charles Elzie, Samaje Morgan, and
Tyler Robinett were named to the 2023 NAIA All-Tournament Team.
Charles Elzie won the Chuck Taylor Most Valuable Player award and
Colby Blaine won NAIA men’s basketball Coach of the Year to conclude an incredible season. With a no senior squad, next season is looking just as bright.