McNeese’s NCAA Tournament game win about more than just basketball
Published 11:47 am Friday, March 21, 2025
- McNeese State guard Brandon Murray (23) is embraced as Clemson forward Ian Schieffelin (4) pauses on the floor following their game in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Thursday, March 20, 2025, in Providence, R.I. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A day after making history, the Cowboys are no longer a mystery.
Still, their dream leaves, and the Madness continues.
Now, the rest of America will be watching.
On Saturday, the Cowboys will debut on CBS when they take on fourth-seeded and Big Ten power Purdue (21-11) in the second round of the Midwest Regional in Amica Mutual Pavilion.
Less than 40 hours after winning their first NCAA Tournament game, the bracket-busting Pokes from McNeese will be the first and only game up in the early window so that everyone can witness their game with the favored Boilermakers.
Tipoff is set for 11:10 a.m. Lake Charles time.
Word is fans from back home were scurrying to try and get to this game after 12th-seeded McNeese stunned college basketball and destroyed more than a few brackets with a stunning 69-67 victory Thursday over Clemson in the opening hours of the tournament.
The Cowboys led by as many as 24 in the second half and never trailed in the final 36 minutes against the Tigers, the alma mater of head coach Will Wade.
“Just a great game for us, a great win,” said Wade.
The response to the victory was so great that it broke McNeese’s internet page. Fans nationwide clicked on to learn more about the school moments after the victory.
“Biggest day in our school’s history,” said McNeese President Wade Rousse. “One of them, for sure.”
Rousse is more concerned about getting students to the university than winning games, but he also knows what the exposure can do.
“I want that marginal student from Jennings to take a look at us no matter what attracts them,” Rousse has said. “That way, maybe somebody who isn’t interested in school that much becomes interested. We want to change lives, and if winning basketball helps, I’ll use it.”
Wade knows it is about more than basketball.
“This is just huge for our school,” said Wade. “Enrollment is up three percent, applications are up 10 percent. Our stuff is going to go through the roof.”
Rousse and Athletic Director Heath Schroyer raced to the floor in their cowboy boots to greet the team and Wade, who jumped into Schroyer’s arms upon victory.
“Great day for us,” said Schroyer. “Great day to be a Cowboy.”
We will find out if it is a great weekend to be one as well.
