Former LSU Men’s Basketball Coach Will Wade Makes History in March Madness
On Thursday, former LSU Men’s Basketball Head Coach, Will Wade, made history in the NCAA Tournament, leading the McNeese State Cowboys to their first March Madness victory in program history.
Will Wade was LSU’s Men’s Basketball coach for five seasons from 2017-2022. He led the LSU Tigers to three NCAA Tournament appearances, which included a run to the Sweet 16 in 2019.
Right before the start of the NCAA Tournament in 2022, LSU received a notice of allegations against Will Wade for “significant misconduct,” and he was fired before the Tigers took on Iowa State. The 6-seeded Tigers lost to the 11-seeded Cyclones in a 59-54 game with Kevin Nickelberry filling in as the interim head coach.
Wade took a year off from coaching before McNeese State hired him prior to the 2023-2024 season. He led the Cowboys to their third ever NCAA Tournament after winning the Southland Conference, but lost to the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the first round.
This year, the Pokes repeated as Southland champs and earned an auto bid to the big dance. They were award the 12-seed and drew a matchup against the 5-seeded Clemson Tigers. The Cowboys were one of the most picked upsets of the tournament, and went on to build a massive 31-13 halftime lead over Clemson.
The Tigers didn’t waver, though. In the second half, they outscored McNeese, 54-38, but ended up falling two points short. The upset, which so many predicted to happen last season, was finally completed as the Cowboys took down the Tigers, 69-67.
The win marks the first time the McNeese Cowboys have won a game in the NCAA Tournament. Will Wade, the American Gangster as College Basketball Analyst Jon Rothstein refers to him, and the Pokes have done what nobody thought was possible in Lake Charles, Louisiana for so long.
Amid all the rumors and speculation about where Wade will be coaching next year, he and the players kept their focus on Clemson and made a statement on Thursday afternoon.
The Cowboys advance to face 4-seeded Purdue on Saturday afternoon.
