Potential Threat to NC State Basketball Pursuit of Will Wade
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As odd as it may sound, NC State basketball enthusiasts who fully favor Will Wade in the Wolfpack's search for its next head coach should seriously consider cheering against his No. 12 seed McNeese State Cowboys (27-6) in the NCAA Tournament. If not, those fans could, in effect, be rooting for their own disappointment.
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Wade has delivered a winning campaign in each of his 11 seasons as a head coach, currently boasting a 253-106 overall record (70.5 percent) between stints at Chattanooga, VCU, LSU, and McNeese State.
Repeat Complete☑️🎥#BayouBandits | #GeauxPokes pic.twitter.com/5HaGVF0pDL
— McNeese Men’s Basketball (@McNeeseMBB) March 16, 2025
However, national interest in Wade's leadership is limited to an extent due to concerns regarding the recruiting-related penalties he picked up at LSU paired with the fact he hasn't recorded a win in six NCAA Tournament appearances.
But again, Wade has a March Madness opportunity to boost his stock considerably in this year's coaching carousel, beginning with the Cowboys' Midwest Regional Round of 64 battle versus his alma mater, No. 5 seed Clemson (27-6), in Providence, R.I., at 3:15 p.m. ET Thursday (truTV).
A victory over the Tigers alone could be enough to demand legit consideration from other programs with coaching vacancies. That's not to mention any NBA interest.
Will Wade jokes about playing his alma mater Clemson in the first round of the NCAA Tournament "The first time I hear the fight song I'll twirl my arm at the O-N, I'm just joking... it's all McNeese"
— Matthew Travis (@MatthewJTravis_) March 17, 2025
More to come tonight on @KPLC7Sports pic.twitter.com/tJ9y1JIj2I
Chatter suggests NC State basketball decision-makers are progressing smoothly in courting their reported No. 1 choice. Even so, it's understandable if Wolfpack pessimists can't help but worry about what might happen if, ironically, the McNeese State Cowboys become this year's featured Cinderella after the then-No. 11 seed NC State Wolfpack donned that crown all the way to the 2024 Final Four.
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Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of NC State Wolfpack on SI, Duke Blue Devils on SI, and North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining NC State Wolfpack on SI in 2024, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.
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