The McNeese State basketball team made history with a thrilling 69-67 victory over Clemson, marking their first-ever NCAA Tournament win. Led by head coach Will Wade, the Cowboys executed a bold strategy that left the Tigers struggling to keep up.
Now, McNeese sets its sights on Purdue, the reigning runners-up, as they aim for a deeper run in March Madness.
McNeese’s Historic Win Over Clemson
Key Highlights:
🏀 Final Score: McNeese State 69, Clemson 67
🔥 First Half Domination: McNeese led 31-13 at halftime
💪 Star Performer: Brandon Murray scored 21 points, a career-best performance
📊 Defensive Shift: McNeese switched to a 2-3 zone defense, confusing Clemson
🎉 Program’s First NCAA Tournament Win
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Clemson struggled offensively, managing just 13 first-half points, which was close to a March Madness record for the lowest-scoring half.
McNeese, seeded 12th, played with unmatched intensity, forcing Clemson into 20.8% first-half shooting. The Tigers attempted a late comeback but fell short in the closing moments.
Coach Will Wade’s Transparency and Game Plan
McNeese’s success wasn’t just about on-court execution—it was also about team unity. Coach Will Wade, who is set to leave for NC State after the tournament, kept his team fully informed.
“We operate the same way all the time. We’ve broken every record in the book. This was the last one to get.” – Will Wade
Senior Christian Shumate (13 points, 11 rebounds) praised Wade’s honesty:
“When you’re in the loop, there’s not much room for conflict. We’re just focused on winning.”
By the Numbers: McNeese vs. Clemson
- McNeese State Halftime Lead: 31-13
- Brandon Murray: 21 points
- Clemson’s First Half Shooting: 20.8% FG
- Christian Shumate: 13 points, 11 rebounds
- NCAA Tournament History: First-ever win for McNeese
Clemson’s 13 first-half points nearly set an all-time tournament record for lowest-scoring halves in the shot clock era.
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McNeese Website Crashes After Win
Following their historic upset, McNeese State’s official website crashed due to overwhelming fan traffic.
🏆 “Biggest day in our school history, or one of them, for sure,” said McNeese President Dr. Wade Rousse.
The school had even prepped its IT team, but the fan interest was too high to prevent the crash.
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What’s Next for McNeese State?
McNeese (28-6) will face No. 1 seed Purdue in the next round. The Cowboys are underdogs once again, but their gritty playstyle could make things interesting.
🔜 Next Game: McNeese vs. Purdue – NCAA Tournament Round of 32
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