Will Wade is leaving McNeese State for NC State but that doesn’t matter in this spot. McNeese is for real, going 19-1 in the Southland Conference, and the Cowboys have the veteran leadership to give the Tigers all they can handle. Clemson has to overcome the loss of starting guard Dillon Hunter (broken hand), the ultimate "glue guy" according to coach Brad Brownell.

With Bo Schembechler not around to dismiss Will Wade (on his way to NC State) on the eve of the tourney as he did to Bill Frieder in 1989 at Michigan, this could work out well for the Cowboys, as it was always going to be the last shot with Wade for this McNeese bunch with several pieces back from last March's Big Dance qualifier. The Cowboys played SEC reps Bama and Mississippi State tough in pre-league, before McNeese blew thru the Southland, with four DD scorers led by Gs Jahvon Garcia and Saint Louis transfer Sincere Parker. Acknowledge Clemson's Elite 8 run last March, but despite the Duke win, there was a lot of flotsam in this year's ACC. Play McNeese (NCAA at Providence)

I want to take the dog in most situations during the tournament but sometimes it just ain't there and that's the way I think with Clemson versus McNeese State. I just can't see McNeese State beating Clemson. Both teams are 27-6 but Clemson is playing in a much stronger conference in the ACC as opposed to the Southland conference and McNeese State only covered 15 games this year. Clemson was 20-13 against spread. Clemson's got the size and they got the swagger of low-scoring defense with lots of discipline. They get the cover by 10 or more.

There’s a lot of talk about the future of McNeese coach Will Wade now that he’s been connected to the NC State and expected to fill that role once the Cowboys’ season is over, and it’s overshadowed another huge aspect of this game. Clemson losing veteran guard Dillon Hunter to a hand injury takes away someone who Brad Brownell called a “glue guy” for this team. Hunter will be missed when Clemson needs veteran experience at the guard position to break through McNeese’s pressure, and while I do expect the Tigers to advance this is too many points against a Cowboys team that covered the spread against both Alabama and Mississippi State in non-conference play.

McNeese State loomed as a legitimate upset from the double-digit seed club. Then news broke that coach Will Wade is fleeing after the season for North Carolina State. That likely will come Thursday night. Given the distraction for him during negotiations and the team for dealing with the departure of its leader, McNeese's chances take a dip. The Cowboys' 11-game straight-up win streak is misleading in light of the fact that they covered only four times. Clemson has won 14 of 16 outright, with one defeat in triple overtime. The Tigers stand 20-11 ATS this season. Their points differential is 11, a snazzy number for an ACC member. Their physicality should keep the Cowboys at bay.