McNeese Basketball To Start MTE in U.S. Virgin Islands on Friday

After a huge win for McNeese State on Monday Night vs North Texas, the Cowboys will look to continue their step up in competition as they will be in the U.S. Virgin Islands for the Paradise Jam. The brackets have been released and we've got everything you need to know...

McNeese was able to notch a massive win on Monday Night vs North Texas after losing a 13-point halftime lead, the Cowboys found their energy again and outscored the Mean Green 23-9 in the last 7:17 of the game. With the crowd going wild, the Cowboys kept UNT from scoring a basket for nearly seven minutes. During that stretch, they turned a 52-45 deficit into a 57-56 lead, thanks to a free throw by Sincere Parker with 3:50 left. Parker led the McNeese comeback, scoring a game-high 18 points, with 15 of those coming in the final 16 minutes.

It was announced after the game that McNeese will be without leading scorer Alyn Breed moving forward. Head Coach Will Wade does not expect Breed to be back until at least the start of Southland Conference play after the 1st of the Year.

Every year in late November, college basketball teams head to the U.S. Virgin Islands for the Paradise Jam tournament. The women’s games usually happen during Thanksgiving week, while the men’s games take place the week before. The tournament is held at the University of the Virgin Islands Sports and Fitness Center in St. Thomas. Last year, Colorado State won the men’s championship.

This year’s tournament is set for November 22nd through November 25th. The teams that will be participating in the Paradise Jam are Longwood, UAB, Louisiana-Lafayette, McNeese, Illinois State, Liberty, George Washington, and Kansas State.

UAB and McNeese State were the only two teams in this year’s Paradise Jam that made it to the 2024 NCAA Tournament. Both teams were knocked out in the first round, with McNeese losing to Gonzaga and UAB falling to San Diego State.

Below is the bracket for the 2024 Paradise Jam. McNeese will be taking on Illinois State, if they were to win in the 1st Round, they will take on the winner of Longwood/UAB.