For the first time in 22 years, the Cowboys will watch the NCAA Tournament Selection Show with personal interest Sunday.

And they are inviting all their fans to join them.

McNeese State will host a watch party starting at 4 p.m. in the Legacy Center as the Cowboys find out where they are headed when the tournament begins next week. 

McNeese will find out its destination and opponent during the NCAA Tournament Selection Show on CBS.

The network will even be on hand for a live cut-in so the nation can see the reaction from Lake Charles. The actual show will begin at 5 p.m.

“It will be great to share this moment with our fans,” said McNeese head coach Will Wade. “It is an exciting time for the players, school and community.”

The 30-3 Southland Conference champions will be making just their third trip to the tournament and first since 2002. The Cowboys have never won a game in the tourney but are expected to be given their highest seed ever.

Projections have McNeese as high as an 11 seed down to a 13 with the most likely being the Cowboys rewarded with a No. 12 spot. As for location, they could be sent anywhere from Brooklyn to Spokane, Washington.

None of that matters to Wade as much as who his team plays.

“I don’t care where we go or the number we get, it’s about the matchups, that’s what I’m interested in,” said Wade. 

It should be noted that 11 seeds have won 38 percent of their first-round games with No. 12s pulling off the upset at a 36% clip. Thirteen seeds win just 22% of their openers meaning seeds have mattered in the past. 

In 2002 McNeese was sent to Dallas as the 14 seed and fell to Mississippi State 70-58 in the opener of the Midwest Regional.

In 1989 the Cowboys were also in the Midwest Regional and traveled to Indianapolis as the 16 seed. They fell to top-seeded Illinois 77-71, which went on to advance to the Final Four that year.

“It is exciting to be a part of March Madness,” said McNeese guard Shahada Wells. “I don’t care where we go, we just want to try and make a run. We aren’t done yet.”

Concessions will be available for fans on Sunday while the Cowgirl Kickers, McNeese Cheerleaders and Pep Band will also be in attendance.

Players will be available after the show to meet with fans, take photos and sign autographs as well.