The madness of March was in full effect on Thursday as two major upsets shook the NCAA Tournament. No. 11 Drake stunned No. 6 Missouri, sending the SEC squad home early, while No. 12 McNeese State pulled off one of the tournament’s biggest shockers by knocking off No. 5 Clemson.
Let’s dive into these thrilling upsets and what they mean for the tournament moving forward.
Drake entered the game as a dangerous No. 11 seed, but few expected the Bulldogs to dominate Missouri the way they did Thursday night. The Missouri Valley Conference champions played with poise and intensity, leading for much of the contest and holding off every Missouri comeback attempt.
Drake jumped out to an early lead, using a balanced offensive attack and suffocating defense to frustrate Missouri. The Tigers struggled to establish any offensive rhythm, turning the ball over repeatedly leading to a 30-23 deficit at halftime. Despite a late push, Drake’s veteran leadership and sharpshooting proved too much, as they secured the upset in convincing fashion.
With the win, Drake advances to the second round, reinforcing the Missouri Valley Conference’s reputation for producing dangerous tournament teams. Missouri, on the other hand, will head home disappointed, failing to capitalize on their strong regular season.
Perhaps the most shocking result of the day came when No. 12 McNeese State upset No. 5 Clemson. The Cowboys, champions of the Southland Conference, were considered a potential Cinderella team, but few expected them to take down an experienced Clemson squad.
From the tip-off, McNeese State played with confidence, matching Clemson’s physicality and forcing the Tigers into difficult shots. Star guard Brandon Murray led the charge with 24 points, scoring key baskets in clutch moments. Clemson, known for its defensive prowess, had no answer for McNeese’s fast-paced attack.
Down the stretch, Clemson made a late push, but McNeese held its composure at the free-throw line and closed out one of the biggest wins in program history.
With the win, McNeese State moves on to the second round, cementing themselves as one of this year’s true Cinderella stories. Clemson, meanwhile, will be left wondering how they let a golden opportunity slip away.
Thursday proved once again why March Madness is one of the most unpredictable and thrilling events in sports. Drake’s win over Missouri was a textbook mid-major upset, while McNeese State’s triumph over Clemson may be the start of something special.
With more games to come, this tournament is only getting started. If Thursday was any indication, buckle up—more madness is on the way.
