McNeese Teams Island Hopping

By Jim Gazzolo

Before McNeese’s two basketball teams enjoy some holiday food, they will both feast on basketball in paradise.

The Cowboys will take their 3-1 record to George Town, Grand Cayman, for three games in three days starting Sunday. The Cowboys will open against undefeated George Washington.

The Cowgirls will play two games in the Bahamas beginning Monday after hosting LSU-Alexanderia Saturday in their final home game of the nonconference season. 

The Cowgirls begin the weekend 2-1. The women’s team will play West Virginia in its island opener.

All five McNeese games will be streamed live on FloCollege TV.

To say it is a big week for McNeese basketball is an understatement. It also shows how far the programs have come in the last few years.

“This says a lot about the respect our programs are getting,” said McNeese Athletic Director Heath Schroyer. “To be invited to tournaments and events like these shows our investment is paying off.”

The women’s team was a late addition to the four-team event in the Bahamas. The invitation came after Ayla Guzzardo was hired as the new women’s coach.

“We are trying to build our brand and this is a way to do it,” said Guzzardo. “We just don’t want to go there and have fun and play some games. We want to compete, show we belong there so we can get invited back in the future.”

For the men’s team, this is the second straight season they will play three games at an island resort. McNeese finished 2-1 last year, ending the tournament in second place.

“These types of events are great for us to see where we are against other Mid-Major programs,” said McNeese head coach Bill Armstrong. “We want to be in the conversation of the best teams in the nation on our level.”

The Cowboys opened this week ranked 22nd in one Mid-Major poll.

“These tournaments can do a lot for your programs,” said Schroyer. “You get exposure, and it is great for recruiting.”

This week shows both programs' standings on the national level. First, you have to get the invitation; next, you have to win some games. That’s the only way to get return trips.

Seeing both programs gain ground on the national level is big for the school. The men’s team has been rising fast the last two seasons, but this is new to the Cowgirls. 

“We are trying to build something special here,” said Guzzardo. “The only way to do this is to play the game right, compete hard, and make other teams want to play you. That’s what we want to do. And win.

Both coaches said they will try to allow for some fun but want to make sure the players understand these are business trips.

“We are going over there to try and win three games,” said Armstrong.

And then, get invited to another one next season.

It’s the perfect way for improving programs to tip off the holiday season.

Jim Gazzolo is a freelance writer who covers sports in Southwest Louisiana. He is also the host of Poke Nation, which airs weekly on CBS-Lake Charles.

Day-by-Day schedule

Saturday

LSUA at McNeese (W) 1 p.m.

Sunday

George Washington vs. McNeese (M) 4 p.m.

Monday

West Virginia vs. McNeese (W) 12:30 p.m.

Murray State vs. McNeese (M) 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday 

Middle Tennessee vs. McNeese (M) 4 p.m.

Wednesday

Ohio State/Belmont vs. McNeese (W) 10 a.m. or 12:30 p.m.

All times Lake Charles 

All games on FloCollege TV