PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The NCAA Tournament is full of surprises, but none was more exhilarating than the McNeese Cowboys’ recent victory over the 12th-seeded Clemson Tigers. With that exciting 69-67 win, the Cowboys not only secured their first NCAA Tournament win ever but also made history as they gear up to face No. 4 Purdue on March 22, 2025, at 12:10 PM ET in hopes of advancing to the Sweet 16.
McNeese, boasting a 28-6 overall record, emerged victorious against Clemson, a ranked opponent, demonstrating a powerful performance that was both physical and aggressive. This victory marked head coach Will Wade's 50th career win at McNeese, offering a celebratory marker for the team and fans alike. “I’ll tell you, the excitement here is palpable. The guys gave it their all against Clemson, and I couldn’t be prouder,” Wade stated after the groundbreaking game.
Wade's Cowboys have become the talk of the town not only for their on-court success but also as a representation of the Southland Conference, seeking to put the league on the map. McNeese aims to be the first team from the Southland Conference to reach the Sweet 16 since 1985. In addition, with this win against Clemson, McNeese is the first league team to advance to the second round since Abilene Christian did in 2021.
The stakes are high as they prepare to face Purdue, which secured a victory against High Point with a score of 75-63 in their first-round matchup. Purdue's depth and experience will be a challenge, but the Cowboys are up for it. As they head into this matchup, McNeese extends its winning streak to 12 games, one of the longest in the NCAA. Additionally, they are only one of 16 teams in the nation with 28 or more wins this season.
The McNeese Cowboys, who have faced daunting opponents this season including Alabama and Mississippi State, are hoping to solidify their momentum in this NCAA run. While they have a 1-3 all-time NCAA Tournament record, their efforts this year have given a glimmer of hope to fans and players alike.
In a dramatic turn of events, McNeese could not sustain its winning ways against Purdue, falling short in a second-round matchup on March 22, 2025, with a score of 76-62. This loss dashed hopes of a Cinderella run as the Cowboys were eliminated from the tournament, but it marked the end of an era for head coach Will Wade, who has been linked to the head coaching position at NC State.
Rumors began circulating earlier in the week, with sources confirming that Wade is in talks with NC State, reportedly having reached a preliminary deal to coach the Wolfpack starting next season. Following the loss to Purdue, Wade addressed discussions about his potential move, saying, “Just tell it like it is. You may not always like what I’m going to say, but I’m going to tell you what I think.” He further emphasized his commitment to being transparent with his team during this transitional period.
In their matchup against Purdue, the Cowboys scored only 20 points in the first half, trailing Purdue by 18 points going into the second half. However, McNeese rallied to put 42 points on the board in the second, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the deficit. The Boilermakers, displaying a strong performance, secured their ticket to the Sweet 16 while McNeese’s exciting run came to a disappointing halt.
Despite the loss, this season has been monumental for McNeese basketball, from their historic win over Clemson to their remarkable journey through March Madness. As the Cowboys move forward, the Southland Conference will have its eyes on the impact Wade has had at McNeese and what his next chapter holds in Raleigh.
