The No. 12 seed in the Midwest, the McNeese State Cowboys (27-6) begin their pursuit of a Cinderella-run in March against the No. 5 seed, the Clemson Tigers (27-6). The Cowboys won the Southland Conference. The Tigers lost to Louisville in the semifinals of the ACC Tournament.

McNeese has already proven it can compete with powerhouse programs, and Douglas Farmer is taking the points with the Cowboys ahead of their Midwest Region clash.

ESPN is relatively confident in Clemson's chances against 12th-seeded McNeese State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

On Thursday, McNeese State coach Will Wade will join the list of coaches who have faced their alma mater in the men's NCAA tournament. His Cowboys will battle Clemson, where Wade spent four years as a student manager in the 2000s.

Will Wade, Clemson alum and former LSU coach, agrees to become the next head coach at NC State after successful tenure at McNeese State.