OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma – Tuesday may have been a travel day for McNeese, but it was still a work day as the 12
th-seeded Cowboys continue to prepare for their matchup against 16
th-ranked and No. 5 seed Vanderbilt in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday at 2:15 on TruTV.
The Cowboys, University and Athletic Department staff, fans, band, cheerleaders, and Cowgirl Kickers loaded up on an Allegiant Air charter plane at 10:30 Tuesday morning out of Million Air at Chennault International Airport and took to the friendly skies for just a little over an hour-and-a-half to OKC where two rounds of the South Region will be played at the Paycom Arena.
It's the closest destination for McNeese at the NCAA Tournament in the last three years. In 2023-24, McNeese played at Salt Lake City, Utah, and last year, in Providence, Rhode Island. This trip makes it more accessible and affordable for Cowboys' fans, many who are already making their way to the Sooner State.
After arriving at Will Rogers International Airport just after noon, the team was welcomed at the team hotel with the lobby decorated with blue and gold balloons and the music of the
On McNeese fight song playing on repeat.
Following a team lunch, the Cowboys got in a closed practice at Abe Lemons Arena on the campus of Oklahoma City University, a gym that is decked out with national championship banners and a simple slogan on the wall that reads "Home of Champions," fittingly for the reigning three-time Southland Conference Tournament Champions.
McNeese will be making its fifth appearance in the NCAA Tournament, third consecutive, after it secured the Southland Conference's automatic bid with a resounding 76-59 win over Stephen F. Austin in last week's championship game.
The Cowboys are one of only two teams in the NCAA that have currently won three straight tournament wins, joined only by Akron.
Thursday's game will broadcast live on TruTV with the winner playing the winner of the Nebraska/Troy game which is the first game to tip-off the action.
