McNeese State scored the first upset of March Madness 2025.
And it sure wasn’t afraid to let the streets of Providence, Rhode Island, know it.
The Cowboys stormed to a 69-67 victory over Clemson at Amica Mutual Pavilion, and afterward, the team was seen marching down a New England street blasting the song “Shake Back” by Rio Da Yung Og from team manager — and viral sensation — Amir Khan’s boombox.
Head coach Will Wade said this was something the team did even before their win over the Tigers, thanks in large part to the proximity of their lodgings to the arena.
“We took Providence by storm today because our hotel is within walking distance so Amir led us down the block with his box, with the music, and people were looking at us like we’re nuts. We said the bayou bandits are here baby — we’re here,” Wade told Field of 68 Media Network after the win.
Khan — also known as “Aura” — has become something of cult hero and internet star during McNeese’s March run, as he sells his own T-shirts and has scored multiple name, image and likeness (NIL) deals.
“For McNeese to get a win in March Madness, it means the world to me,” Khan told Fox Sports after the win, as the team held up a shirt featuring the student manager while hyping him up. “I never really expected any attention as a manager, so to receive all of the love and support over the last few weeks, it means a lot.”
McNeese, in its first-ever NCAA Tournament win, held Clemson to just 13 points in the first half.
The Cowboys will next play Purdue on Saturday.
