Fifth-seeded Clemson’s season came to a disappointing end Thursday with a stunning 69-67 loss to No. 12 seed McNeese State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament Midwest Regional.
Clemson (27-7) fought back in the second half to make things interesting down the stretch after trailing by as many as 24 points, but a historically bad performance in the first half — when Clemson mustered only 13 points — proved too much for the Tigers to overcome against McNeese (28-6).
Check out some of what they’re saying on social media about Clemson’s early NCAA Tournament exit:
MCNEESE SHATTERS BRACKETS AND DREAMS WITH AN UPSET OVER CLEMSON 🔥
1.4M perfect brackets left out of 24M 😳 pic.twitter.com/slo66mWz5B
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 20, 2025
SADDLE UP 🤠
The Cowboys move on to the round of 32 after securing their first tournament win in school history 😤 pic.twitter.com/lvr6fJnVry
— ESPN (@espn) March 20, 2025
FINAL: No. 12 McNeese 69, No. 5 Clemson 67
This was a drubbing for the first 35ish minutes. It took Clemson 15 minutes to reach double-digits, McNeese led by as many as 24 — but Clemson scored 14 points in the final 45 seconds to briefly make things interesting.
WILL. WADE.
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) March 20, 2025
Reminds me a lot of 2008-09. One of the most talented teams we ever had. One and done in both ACC and NCAA.
— Philip Sikes (@PSikes21) March 20, 2025
This didn’t age well https://t.co/HhteSEaxg7
— Kayla Abercrombie (@KayAbercrombie8) March 20, 2025
This guy… certified ball knower… 💀😂
Thanks Clemson and Louisville.. 🤬 https://t.co/FWXT6bhZVt
— Eric Mac Lain (@EricMacLain) March 20, 2025
It appears the ACC will not be able to claim its teams were underrated this season.
— chris carlson (@ccarlsononSU) March 20, 2025
12-over-5 is back, baby.
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) March 20, 2025
need the sad Clemson Tiger mascot shaking his head gif ASAP
— Mike Golic Jr (@mikegolicjr) March 20, 2025
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 20, 2025
Clemson is 2nd team seeded 5th or better to score 13 points or fewer in 1st half of NCAA Tournament game in shot clock era (since 1986). No. 5 seed Wisconsin had 12 vs Missouri State in 1999 first round
— Josh Dubow (@JoshDubowAP) March 20, 2025
McNeese with an absolutely dominant first half, up 31-13 on 5-seed Clemson at the break.
Via @ESPNStatsInfo: McNeese is the seventh team since 2010 seeded 12th or higher to hold a double-digit lead at the half in the Round of 64. The previous six all went on to win.
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) March 20, 2025
This is a real halftime score:
McNeese 31, Clemson 13.
The Tigers went 18-2 in the ACC. They just got run off the floor in the opening 20 minutes.
— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) March 20, 2025
How bad has it been for Clemson? They put forth the worst performance by an ACC team in the first half of an NCAA tournament team in a generation (Wake Forest scored 10 vs. Butler in 2001), per @ESPNStatsInfo
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) March 20, 2025
Playing your worst game in the tourney is unfortunate. Absolutely terrible 😩
— Jock McKissic (@Jayfifty) March 20, 2025
Never gave up, just not enough time. Officially 100% baseball season in Clemson.
— Alex Dodd (@alexdoddshow) March 20, 2025
Dang Man… Tiger Pride 😓💜🐅
— Joseph Girard III (@JG3_____) March 20, 2025
Left it all out there 💔 pic.twitter.com/4HTkYSvXRI
— Clemson Basketball (@ClemsonMBB) March 20, 2025
March Sadness for Clemson fans 😬#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/2VzgjjUghl
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 20, 2025
So hard when it ends.
Will forever remember the legacies and representation of Chase and Ian – Clemson Men through and through.
Immense pride in our players, coaches, fans and every aspect of this program.
A record setting season, in so many ways. Best is yet to come.…
— Graham Neff (@GrahamNeff) March 20, 2025
Feel for Brad and his guys today. Unbelievable year that they had. Winning is hard and they did it at an elite level all year. It was a lot of fun to watch and grateful that his whole program made us feel like a part of it. Hats off to @ClemsonMBB…
— Shawn Poppie (@Coach_Poppie) March 20, 2025