VIDEO: Will Wade breaks down metrics on how his McNeese State team beat Clemson

On the “Field of 64” show after his 12 seeded McNeese State team upset 5 seeded Clemson, he explained the metrics he focused to get the win…

Analytics matter to Will Wade @TheFieldOf68 pic.twitter.com/U6tpbFjeFi

— Inside Pack Sports (@InsidePackSport) March 20, 2025

“They are 4-17 under Brownell when you assist on 11+ baskets, they shoot under 58% from 2, and under 38% from 3. We hit all 3 of those benchmarks. We were willing to give up the 3, but we hit all of those benchmarks that allowed us to win.”

Why does this quote matter? Well, first off there were a LOT of questions of how the previous staff was using analytics. With Will Wade it’s clear, analytics play a big part in the decision-making and game planning.

Secondly, this is an interesting grouping of stats. Clemson is a big team, but they are a really good shooting team. They are 4th in the ACC in 3pt shooting at 37%, so you’d assume the gameplan would be, limit their 3s.

However, Wade’s team found this coupling of stats, that tells them, Clemson can’t win if you’re sharing the ball, limiting their FG% from the paint and allowing them to shoot a little above average from 3. McNeese State surprised the Tigers by coming out and playing a lot of zone, allowing them to shoot 3s. But in return, they weren’t going to give up any easy 2s. This wasn’t what Clemson was expecting and I think it really frustrated them.

Eventually the Tigers got going, scoring 54 points in the second half, but it was too little, too late. McNeese early one-two punch, has Clemson on the ropes early, scoring just 13 points in the first half. By the time they were able to adjust, they weren’t able to mount a big enough comeback and lost by 2.

This was coaching. Zeroing in on those 3 stats and then having your team execute shows you the type of coach Will Wade is and why he’s won everywhere he’s been.