In a thrilling start to March Madness, McNeese coach Will Wade, accompanied by his vibrant manager with a boombox, led the team to a significant upset. The 12th-seeded Cowboys secured a dramatic 69-67 win over the 5th-seeded Clemson Tigers, marking their first victory in the NCAA Tournament. This triumph came during the opening round of the East Region in Providence, Rhode Island.
“Breaking records is something we’ve become familiar with,” Wade stated, reflecting on his successful back-to-back NCAA Tournament leadership. The coach celebrated this monumental achievement with hopes to extend their progress further. With this win, McNeese is now set to face Purdue, who previously defeated High Point 75-63 in the same venue.
During the match, Brandon Murray played a crucial role by scoring 14 of his total 21 points in the first half alone. This performance helped the Cowboys establish a commanding 24-point lead, restricting Clemson to a mere 13 first-half points. Although the Tigers launched a late comeback, closing the gap significantly in the final moments, they couldn’t overturn McNeese’s early dominance. “We came out strong,” said Murray, “and it was clear they struggled to handle that.”
Chris Shumate was another standout for McNeese, contributing 13 points and securing 11 rebounds. Known recently for their lively manager and an ambitious coach rumored to be in talks with NC State, McNeese’s journey in the tournament continues. Wade took his celebrations to the stands, where a supportive crowd, including neutral fans, backed the Cowboys against their prestigious Atlantic Coast Conference opponents. The locker room scene was no different, with players showering Wade with water in celebration.
Among the notable performances were those of Clemson’s Jaeden Zackery, who scored 24 points, and Chase Hunter, who added 21 more, although Viktor Lakhin had to exit after accruing four fouls with six minutes still on the clock. Despite their losses, this once-dominant ACC is now represented only by Duke and a North Carolina team that barely made it to the tournament.
In the closing minutes, McNeese managed to maintain their lead even as Clemson attempted a late surge. Critical plays, including Javohn Garcia’s double block on Zackery and Shumate’s reverse dunk, kept McNeese ahead. Zackery’s persistence brought the Tigers within striking distance, but time wasn’t on their side as Hunter’s final basket coincided with the game’s end.
Will Wade’s controversial background includes his departure from LSU due to recruiting violations. His comeback at McNeese has been marked by back-to-back NCAA appearances. Unique records were set during the game, with Clemson struggling in the first half, managing just five baskets and hitting only one of fifteen 3-point attempts.
Looking ahead, McNeese, with a respectable 9-5 nonconference record, will face Purdue. Coach Wade’s previous success includes a win over Michigan in their territory, setting a precedent for confronting Big Ten Teams. The excitement builds as the Cowboys prepare for another formidable challenge in their journey through March Madness.