Clemson Basketball Faces McNeese in NCAA Tournament Opener

CLEMSON, S.C. (Clemson Athletics) — Clemson University’s men’s basketball team has earned an at-large bid in the 2025 NCAA Tournament, securing a No. 5 seed in the Midwest Region. The Tigers will face the No. 12 seed, McNeese State, with the game scheduled for Thursday at 3:15 p.m. in Providence, R.I., broadcasted live on truTV.

This appearance marks the fifth time the Tigers have advanced to the NCAA Tournament under Head Coach Brad Brownell, and their second consecutive trip following a successful run last season. Overall, this will be Clemson’s 15th tournament appearance since 1980.

With a record of 27-6, including 18-2 in regular season Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) play, the Tigers have set multiple school records this season: total wins (27), ACC wins (18), win percentage (.900), and road victories in the ACC (9). Clemson closed out the regular season with eight straight ACC wins, surpassing the previous mark of seven established in 1966-67.

The Tigers have previously reached the NCAA Tournament’s Elite Eight in 1980 and 2024. In 1980, with Bill Foster as head coach, Clemson achieved three tournament victories before falling to UCLA. Last season, under Brownell, Clemson advanced past New Mexico, Baylor, and Arizona, ultimately losing to Alabama in the Elite Eight.

Clemson features a strong roster, highlighted by two All-ACC players: First Team selection Chase Hunter and Second Team player Ian Schieffelin. Hunter, a sixth-year senior from Atlanta, Ga., averages 16.4 points per game, while Schieffelin contributes 12.8 points and 9.4 rebounds per game. Jaeden Zackery also received recognition for his defensive prowess, being named to the All-Defensive Team, alongside Viktor Lakhin, who received Honorable Mention.

Coach Brad Brownell has successfully led three different programs to the NCAA Tournament, beginning with UNC Wilmington in 2003 and 2006, followed by Wright State in 2007, and then his stints at Clemson in 2011, 2018, 2021, and 2024.

The Tigers’ postseason history includes a record of 14-14 in the NCAA Tournament, which includes two trips to the Elite Eight and five Sweet 16 appearances.

As they prepare for their game against McNeese, Clemson aims to continue proving skeptics wrong. “We can do some big things when we put our mind to it,” said Hunter. “We’ve got a great team and a great group of guys, just like last year. But I think we get doubted a lot.”

The Cowboys of McNeese enter the tournament with a 27-6 record as well, securing their NCAA bid with a recent 63-54 victory over Lamar in the Southland Conference finals. Quadir Copeland led the Cowboys with 18 points in that game, a victory that showcased their defensive resilience despite struggling with shooting at 41.7 percent.

McNeese’s coach, Will Wade, a Clemson alum, acknowledged the significance of this matchup. “First time I hear that fight song, I’ll twirl my arm for the O-N,” Wade said. “It’s a great place. But once that ball goes up, man, I’m all McNeese.”

The Cowboys boast a balanced scoring attack with several players contributing in double figures, including Massachusetts transfer Javohn Garcia and Saint Louis transfer Sincere Parker. McNeese’s aggressive defensive approach averages nine steals per game, which poses a challenge for opponents.

The winner of the Clemson versus McNeese matchup will advance to face either No. 4 Purdue or No. 13 High Point in the second round on Saturday.