The McNeese Cowboys are preparing to play in their third straight NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. The South Region’s 12 seed takes on Vanderbilt Thursday afternoon in Oklahoma City. McNeese Athletic Director Heath Schroyer says McNeese is setting the standard for programs of its stature.
“Very, very few programs, that are known programs at this level, go to three straight NCAA Tournaments, win three straight conference championships, etc. I think there’s a stat out there that, in the last three years, we’ve had the third-highest winning percentage of any Division I program in the country,” Schroyer explained.
Schroyer says McNeese’s success is forcing everyone else in the Southland Conference to play catch-up.
“Who would’ve thought that Lamar would fire their coach with two years left on a contract. So I think people are starting to understand how important it is, especially at this level, to have a successful men’s basketball program,” Schroyer said.
Schroyer says with three straight NCAA Tournament appearances, the men’s basketball team needs to keep it going, and it takes the support of the Lake Charles community to accomplish that.
“When you have success, people want more success. And this is the time, again, to capitalize on it. And our donors and our community has always answered the bell, and I think they’ll do it again,” Schroyer said.
Last year, McNeese won its first-ever NCAA Tournament game when they upset Clemson in the First Round as a 12 seed.
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