McNeese State Stuns Clemson in NCAA Tournament Upset
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – In a bracket-busting shocker, the No. 12 seed McNeese State Cowboys orchestrated a stunning 69-67 victory over the No. 5 seed Clemson Tigers in the opening round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. McNeese’s tenacious defense and relentless offensive attack proved too much for Clemson, as the Cowboys secured their first-ever tournament win in program history.
McNeese’s game plan centered on disrupting Clemson’s offensive rhythm and capitalizing on turnovers. The Cowboys’ aggressive style and athletic prowess allowed them to force 13 turnovers, which directly translated into points. Clemson struggled mightily from the field, shooting a dismal 36.8 percent overall, a testament to McNeese’s defensive intensity.
The first half was a nightmare for Clemson. McNeese imposed their will early, building a commanding 23-8 lead with seven minutes remaining. The Cowboys’ suffocating defense and efficient offense left the Tigers reeling. At halftime, McNeese held a comfortable 31-13 advantage, a scoreline that reflected Clemson’s offensive struggles.
Clemson’s offensive woes were exemplified by their poor shooting from beyond the arc. The Tigers connected on a mere 1 of 15 attempts from 3-point range in the first half, continuing a troubling trend from their final three regular-season games, where they shot a combined 13 of 63 from deep. McNeese guard Brandon Murray outscored the entire Clemson team in the first half with 14 points. He finished with a team-high 21 points.
The second half began with Clemson briefly showing signs of life, trimming the deficit to 15 points at 31-16. However, McNeese quickly responded, extending their lead to 40-16, a margin that seemed insurmountable. Clemson’s offense continued to sputter, while McNeese maintained its composure and execution.
Despite the large deficit, Clemson mounted a furious comeback attempt in the final minutes. The Tigers cut the lead to 51-38 with 6:10 remaining and then to single digits at 58-49 with 2:40 left on the clock. However, McNeese refused to buckle under pressure, answering every Clemson basket with timely plays of their own. Ultimately, Clemson’s rally fell short, as McNeese held on for the thrilling 69-67 victory.
McNeese’s victory was a team effort, with multiple players contributing key performances. Guard Christian Shumate recorded a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds, providing a strong presence on both ends of the court. The Cowboys’ depth was also a significant factor, with eight players logging at least 17 minutes. Every McNeese player that played in at least 20 games this season averaged at least 13.9 minutes per game, showcasing the team’s balanced roster and coaching staff’s confidence in their rotation.
For Clemson, senior guard Jaeden Zackery led the team with 24 points on 9 of 18 shooting, a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing performance. However, starters Chase Hunter and Ian Schieffelin, who averaged a combined 29.2 points per game during the regular season, struggled mightily. Hunter was scoreless in the first half but finished with 21 points as part of Clemson’s late rally. Schieffelin had just 1 point for the entire game.
McNeese’s upset victory marks the 56th time a No. 12 seed has defeated a No. 5 seed since the tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985. No. 12 seeds have a history of causing chaos in the tournament, having won at least one first-round game in 34 of the past 40 tournaments. The exceptions are the 1988, 2000, 2007, 2015, 2018 and 2023 tournaments.
The Cowboys’ success comes amidst speculation about their head coach, Will Wade, potentially leaving to take the coaching job at North Carolina State. Wade, 42, previously coached at LSU, where he was fired in March 2022 following an NCAA investigation into recruiting violations. Wade confirmed that his representatives had spoken with N.C. State and that he had discussed the opportunity with his team.
Clemson’s early exit is a bitter disappointment after a historic regular season. The Tigers won a school-record 27 games overall and a record 18 games in ACC play. They advanced to the semifinals of the conference tournament before losing to Louisville. Last year’s team went 21-11 during the regular season and finished in a fifth-place tie in the ACC standings before rolling off three tournament wins as a No. 6 seed to reach the program’s second Elite Eight.
Clemson’s loss adds to the ACC’s struggles in this year’s tournament. The conference sent only four teams into the field: Clemson, No. 1 Duke, No. 8 Louisville, and No. 11 North Carolina. While North Carolina advanced past No. 11 San Diego State in the First Four, Louisville suffered a lopsided 89-75 defeat to No. 9 Creighton earlier in the day. Duke faces No. 16 Mount St. Mary’s in their first-round matchup on Friday. The underwhelming performance of ACC teams in the tournament raises questions about the conference’s overall strength and competitiveness. The conference needs strong showings from Duke and North Carolina to salvage their reputation.
