McNeese State pulled off the first big NCAA Tournament shocker Thursday night, edging out 5-seed Clemson 69-67 in a thriller that had the 12-seed Cowboys dancing into the next round. Shahada Wells was the hero, dropping 22 points and sealing it with a steal in the final seconds, turning a tight game into an instant classic. Clemson’s tourney pedigree took a hit—is this the start of a wild McNeese run?
Picture the finish—Wells drives with 12 seconds left, hits a jumper to take the lead, then picks Clemson’s pocket as they scramble for a response. The Cowboys were gritty all night, hitting 7 of 16 from deep and turning 15 Tiger turnovers into points. Clemson’s PJ Hall fought back with 18, but his last-second jumper clanged off the rim, and McNeese erupted. They played fast and fearless, leaning on Wells’ speed and a defense that bent but didn’t break, even when Clemson’s size threatened to take over.
This isn’t a fluke—McNeese rolled into the tourney with a 30-3 record, and Wells has been their sparkplug all year, averaging big numbers and clutch moments. Clemson’s ACC toughness kept it close—they shot 44% and owned the paint early—but their shooters went cold late, and McNeese’s hustle won out. Online, fans are losing it, calling this the upset of the weekend and dreaming of a deep run for a team nobody saw coming. March thrives on chaos, and this 12-over-5 stunner is textbook.
Next up’s a taller order, but McNeese has that underdog swagger—think UMBC or FGCU, only with a guard who can take over games. Clemson’s licking wounds, and the Cowboys are riding high. If Wells keeps playing like a man possessed, this could be more than a one-off—brackets are already bleeding, and McNeese is loving it.
