McNeese State stuns Clemson for first upset of March Madness 2025
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The 12th-seeded McNeese State Cowboys became the first team to slip on Cinderella’s slippers this March, upsetting No. 5 Clemson, 69-67, in stunning (and narrow) fashion here on Thursday afternoon.
This is the first time that the Cowboys have won a game in the Division I men’s NCAA Tournament. The Southland Conference champions were also a No. 12 seed a year ago — and a popular upset pick — but lost to No. 5 Gonzaga by 21 points.
Second time turned out to be the charm.
The win was the first for a double-digit seed this year so far, the first major upset in a tournament known for them. For a stretch, it seemed like McNeese State would cruise to victory. The Cowboys had jumped all over the Tigers early in the game, attacking Clemson on both ends of the court. They forced 10 Clemson turnovers in the first half alone and turned them into 15 points. It took the Tigers 15 game minutes to reach double digits; they shot an abysmal 20.8 percent from the field (and 6.7 percent from three) in the first half.
The Cowboys did not relent after the break, quickly extending their lead to 20 by the midpoint of the second half and holding off a late Clemson comeback. They remained aggressive on the boards, especially effective at rebounding their own misses. 44 of their 69 points came in the paint. Brandon Murray — off the bench — led the Cowboys with 21 total points.
Clemson's barrage of threes in the final 45 seconds to make it a game, but it wasn't enough to top a scrappy McNeese squad.
The win Thursday also capped a fascinating 24 hours for second-year head coach Will Wade; news broke on Wednesday afternoon that Wade is expected to be named the head coach of North Carolina State after McNeese’s season ends. The Cowboys’ season is now guaranteed to run through Saturday — at least. (The transfer portal opens on Monday, a key date for new head coaches trying to build their new rosters.)
Wade confirmed at his pregame news conference on Wednesday that he’d been in contact with the Wolfpack and said he’d talked to his McNeese players last weekend about the possibility of departing the school at the end of the season.
“We addressed it head-on,” Wade said. “Here’s what it is, here is where we are. It was just me and our players and we all talked about it. I’m aware of what I have got going on. They’re aware of what we’ve got going on. You just hit it head-on. We’re all on the same page with everything.”
Wade, 42, is undoubtedly one of the best coaches in the country, but he’s had to climb his way back up to the power-conference level after LSU fired him amid an NCAA investigation into recruiting violations involving pay-for-play. McNeese State hired him in 2023 despite a show-cause order and a 10-game suspension. But that faith in Wade was rewarded, as the move has obviously worked out quite well for the Cowboys.
McNeese State will attempt to continue its magical March on Saturday, when it will play No. 4 Purdue with the winner advancing to the Sweet 16.
Topics
-
Five things to know about McNeese State, the newest March Madness darling
No. 12 seed McNeese State became the NCAA Tournament’s first Cinderella on Thursday afternoon, upsetting the fifth-ranked Clemson Tigers.Yahoo Sports - 14h -
Tiny McNeese and viral manager stun Clemson in first March Madness upset
No 12 McNeese hold off No 5 seed Clemson in win No 4 Purdue survive No 13 High Point’s upset bid Cheat sheet: highlights and how to win your bracket McNeese coach Will Wade and his ...The Guardian - 16h -
McNeese State pulls March Madness upset with men's NCAA Tournament defeat of Clemson
The first upset of the NCAA men's tournament has been pulled off by McNeese State, which defeated Clemson in convincing fashion Thursday.Yahoo Sports - 18h -
McNeese stuns Clemson in March Madness 12-5 upset: Cowboys pick up Southland's first-ever tourney win over ACC
McNeese is moving on to the second round after holding off a late Clemson runCBS Sports - 17h -
McNeese scripts 'biggest day' in upset of Clemson
McNeese coach Will Wade and his boom box-toting manager are moving on in March Madness after the 12th-seeded Cowboys held off No. 5 seed Clemson in the first bracket buster of the NCAA tournament.ESPN - 34m -
How Clemson basketball proved unready for March Madness in upset loss to McNeese State
A disastrous 13-point first half knocked Clemson basketball from the NCAA Tournament in the first round, 69-67 to McNeese State, despite a late rally.Yahoo Sports - 14h -
No. 12 seed McNeese holds off late Clemson charge to earn first March Madness victory
McNeese coach Will Wade and his boombox-toting manager are moving on in March Madness after the 12th-seeded Cowboys held off late-charging No. 5 seed Clemson 69-67 on Friday in the first bracket ...Yahoo Sports - 18h -
Amid NC State reports, Will Wade has big reaction to McNeese State's March Madness upset
McNeese State basketball coach Will Wade, reportedly hired at NC State, soaked in Thursday's upset of No. 5 seed Clemson in March Madness bracket.Yahoo Sports - 17h -
Where is McNeese State? Cowboys look to upset Clemson
Thursday's first full day of action has many wondering: Who the heck is McNeese State?Yahoo Sports - 19h
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Where would Aliyah Chavez be on ESPN's best women's NCAA tournament players rankings?
Aaliyah Chavez is a McDonald's All-American. If she were in college now, where would she rank on ESPN's tournament player rankings?Yahoo Sports - 23m -
Ernie Johnson, Clark Kellogg Kick Off March Madness with Emotional Greg Gumbel Tribute: ‘He Was So Good at What He Did’
Gumbel, the renowned sports broadcaster, died at the age of 78 last DecemberYahoo Sports - 24m -
Great Britain’s Jeremiah Azu wins 60m gold at World Indoor Championships
Welshman Jeremiah Azu fought back tears after claiming 60 metres gold in a personal best 6.49 seconds on the first day of the World Athletics Indoor Championships in China.Yahoo Sports - 25m -
Grant Nelson will be available for Alabama's first NCAA Tournament game
Alabama will have its top rebounder available for its first NCAA Tournament game. According to a report from CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein, forward Grant Nelson will be available to suit up, but will ...Yahoo Sports - 27m -
ESPN analyst sees Rams as sleeper to take QB early in 2025 NFL draft
ESPN's Field Yates picked the Rams as his sleeper team to draft a quarterback early this year, potentially in Round 1 or 2Yahoo Sports - 27m
More in Sports
-
Where would Aliyah Chavez be on ESPN's best women's NCAA tournament players rankings?
Aaliyah Chavez is a McDonald's All-American. If she were in college now, where would she rank on ESPN's tournament player rankings?Yahoo Sports - 23m -
Ernie Johnson, Clark Kellogg Kick Off March Madness with Emotional Greg Gumbel Tribute: ‘He Was So Good at What He Did’
Gumbel, the renowned sports broadcaster, died at the age of 78 last DecemberYahoo Sports - 24m -
March Madness live tracker: Highlights, updates, reactions and more
Follow along as we track 16 more games in the round of 64 of the men's NCAA tournament.ESPN - 24m -
Two years after losing the Texas job, Chris Beard right at home at Ole Miss
The university and the city of Oxford have welcomed the coach as he rebuilds the men's basketball team.ESPN - 25m -
Great Britain’s Jeremiah Azu wins 60m gold at World Indoor Championships
Welshman Jeremiah Azu fought back tears after claiming 60 metres gold in a personal best 6.49 seconds on the first day of the World Athletics Indoor Championships in China.Yahoo Sports - 25m