Near-perfect start, by Jim Gazzolo

Wade back on bench for surging McNeese

By Jim Gazzolo

Before he could reach the McNeese bench Will Wade had to strut through smoke Wednesday night.

Pretty easy for a guy who had to walk through a firestorm to get back into college basketball.

Coaching his first game since being fired by LSU in March of 2022, and an added 10 games this year thanks to a ridiculous NCAA suspension, Wade arrived at the Legacy Center with all the hype a basketball savior deserves. 

And his team followed their head coach’s lead.

McNeese ran its record to an impressive 9-2, the program’s best start since 1976, with a grinding 67-48 win over Southern Mississippi. This team has also won back the crowd, as the arena was rocking from start to finish.

“He (Wade) walked out of that tunnel and the whole place erupted,” said McNeese forward Christian Shumate, who finished with 11 points and 12 rebounds. “That got us all fired up.”

This is not like any McNeese team we have seen in these parts for some time. These Cowboys play together, have fun and have a flare of entertainment. Most importantly they also win.

“That’s what they hired us to do, win,” said Wade. “They brought us here to win games.”

That includes beating some pretty good Mid-Major programs. McNeese is 5-2 against such squads.

“Why shouldn’t we beat some of these teams,” said Wade. “No limits on how good we should be.”

DJ Richards came off the bench to score a career-high 24 points in the win over the Golden Eagles, hitting six threes along the way. 

Still, this was Wade’s night even if he wanted to give credit to the others.

“This was great,” said Wade. “This is what we want. This is how we envisioned it. 

“It takes a lot of people working hard to make this happen. I’m just the face of it.”

He is also quick to credit his players, who he has brought together 

“We hit the jackpot,” Wade said. “They are good and have worked really hard. They have earned the right to win these games. 

“It’s really about the players. It’s the horse, it isn't the jockey. You aren’t winning the Kentucky Derby on a donkey.”

Wade has more than earned his paycheck, turning the Cowboys into a national brand in just 11 games. Last year the program lost a record 23 games and fans showed little interest. 

That was after McNeese lost 22 games the year before. Now they are looking at being talked about with other Mid-Major programs but also finding new fans around every corner.

All this is fueled by a team that is winning games against some solid brands. Southern Miss has won the Sun Belt title in each of the previous two seasons. 

The Cowboys have also won at Alabama-Birmingham and Virginia Commonwealth, two places it’s hard to win at. 

And McNeese is 6-0 at home. The amazing part of that is just how dominant they have been inside the Legacy Center. 

When the Golden Eagles took a 7-6 lead early in the game Wednesday it was the first time all season the Pokes trailed at home. It only lasted 19 seconds, however. 

Out of a possible 240 minutes on their home turf the Cowboys have led for 235:31. The games have been tied for the other 4:10.

That is an incredible run to say the least.

It is hard to say how long Will Wade will coach McNeese. Two years seems like it would be a gift as with each win his value goes up.

But for now he is here and we should enjoy the ride. 

With Wade you know it won’t be dull.

Jim Gazzolo is a freelance writer who covers McNeese athletics. He is the host of Poke Nation on CBS-Lake Charles.