In a stunning upset during the first round of the NCAA tournament, the 12th-seeded McNeese State Cowboys achieved a remarkable victory over the fifth-seeded Clemson Tigers, winning 69-67. This marks McNeese's first-ever victory in NCAA tournament history, after previously entering the tournament with an 0-3 record.
The game, held on March 20, 2025, saw the Cowboys leap out to an early lead, establishing a commanding 23-8 advantage after a 19-2 run. By halftime, McNeese maintained an impressive 31-13 lead, forcing Clemson to endure a shocking first-half performance. The Tigers struggled immensely, scoring just 13 points and shooting only 20.8% from the field, which included a dismal 1-of-15 from three-point range. This dismal shooting was compounded by the Tigers’ ten turnovers in the first half, which McNeese capitalized on to convert into 15 points.
Despite a valiant effort in the second half, where Clemson scored 54 points, it wasn’t enough to overcome the first-half deficit. With only 10.6 seconds remaining in the game, Clemson cut the Cowboys' lead to just two points at 68-65 after a three-pointer by Chauncey Wiggins. However, McNeese’s Javohn Garcia sealed the win by hitting a free throw to extend the lead back to two possessions.
Brandon Murray, who joined the team this season from Ole Miss, led McNeese with a career-high 21 points, securing his status as a key player in the team’s Cinderella run. “This win means a lot for our program,” Murray said after the game. “We just played our game and didn’t let the pressure get to us.” Christian Shumate also contributed with 13 points and 11 rebounds, showing the depth and resilience of the Cowboys.
Another remarkable point of interest is the performance of Clemson’s senior guard Jaeden Zackery, who topped the Tigers’ scoring charts with 24 points on 9-of-18 shooting. Even as the Tigers attempted to rally back into contention, starters Chase Hunter and Ian Schieffelin struggled in the first half, finishing with 21 and just 1 point, respectively.
This matchup also serves as a troubling indicator for the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), which suffered a double blow on March 20, 2025. Earlier in the day, No. 8 seed Louisville fell to No. 9 Creighton. Clemson’s loss means the ACC is now 0-2 in NCAA tournament proceedings, leading fans and analysts to question the overall strength of the conference as it seeks to defend its reputation.
This triumph propels McNeese State into the second round of the tournament, where they will face No. 4 Purdue, who won their matchup against High Point the same day. The Cowboys, fueled by their historic win, now have their sights set on continuing this Cinderella story.
Head coach Will Wade, who has recently confirmed he will take over next season at NC State, was visibly emotional after the victory. “I’m so proud of our guys; they really stepped up today,” Wade said in his post-game remarks. “This was a big day for McNeese State, and it’s a journey we’re all excited to continue.” Wade previously coached at LSU, but was dismissed amid an NCAA investigation two years earlier. His revival at McNeese has been remarkable, with the Cowboys finishing their season with an impressive 27-6 record and a Southland Conference championship.
Clemson, meanwhile, will need to regroup and reflect on this disappointing showing. Analysts emphasize that the Tigers need to address their first-half woes and dig deep to revitalize their game strategy in the off-season. With just four ACC teams making the tournament this year, the repercussions from this year’s NCAA Championship extend beyond the court as the conference seeks to reclaim their status among college basketball’s elite.
As March Madness unfolds, McNeese State stands poised to be the first true Cinderella team of the tournament, highlighting the beauty of college basketball, where upsets happen, and dreams can materialize with each passing game.
