Twin Title Runs

Both McNeese basketball teams in first

By Jim Gazzolo

It’s been 14 years since McNeese basketball was in this situation.

Back in 2012, both the men’s and women’s teams at McNeese were in first place. They would each go on to capture regular-season titles at the end of that season.

Now, McNeese hoop faithful are hoping history repeats itself, and twin titles are once again claimed.

The two teams enter Saturday’s doubleheader at Texas-Rio Grande Valley in first place with 7-1 Southland Conference records. The Cowgirls are alone in first place, one game ahead of four teams, while the Cowboys are tied with two others.

This is what the plan was when Athletic Director Heath Schroyer first replaced Will Wade, who left for North Carolina State, with Bill Armstrong, and then hired Ayla Guzzardo last spring.

The two first-year McNeese coaches have their teams on very similar paths. Guzzardo’s women are 13-4 overall and have won six straight, all in league play.

Armstrong’s men are 14-3 overall and have won their last seven conference games, losing only to Michigan since Dec. 1.

“We want to be competitive in every program,” said Schroyer. “Winning in basketball is big because we host the tournaments at the end of the year.”

In the last two seasons, while the men were winning postseason titles alongside their back-to-back regular-season crowns, the women struggled. They haven’t made the tourney the last two seasons.

It was more than a little embarrassing to host the Southland’s postseason championship and not have your team quality for McNeese. That clearly has changed.

With that in mind, Schroyer made the change from Lynn Kennedy to Guzzardo at the end of last season. It has worked so far, as the former Southeastern head coach was brought over to revive the Cowgirls.

It’s hard to say how much one winning program helps the other, but it clearly doesn’t hurt. Basketball excitement remains high.

Both teams easily lead the conference in attendance, something that makes those who have invested in the programs over the past few years happy.

The two teams will play only at home once more until February, that coming Saturday, Jan. 24, when they each host New Orleans in a key doubleheader in Townsley Law Arena. Other than that, they will be on the road. 

The good news for McNeese fans is that both clubs should be deep into the title chase when they return to Lake Charles in full.

Just as it was planned.

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.