Will Wade Returns for LSU-McNeese Exhibition

Lake Charles, Louisiana - From one LSU-McNeese game to another. This time, on the basketball court. This one should be a bit more special, and a whole lot more evenly matched.

For the first time since resurrecting the McNeese basketball program, Will Wade will return to Lake Charles on Thursday to bring his LSU team for a pre-season exhibition inside Townsley Law Arena.

Will Wade and Bill Armstrong spent many seasons on the same bench. Thursday night, the two lifelong friends will coach against each other for the first time.

Bill Armstrong followed up Will Wade’s two seasons in Lake Charles with a dominant season of his own. Though it did not culminate in a regular-season championship, the Cowboys won the Southland Conference Tournament for the third straight season and earned another trip to the NCAA Tournament.

McNeese Roster

Armstrong brings a loaded roster into this season, highlighted by the return of Freshman of the Year Larry Johnson and six high-major transfers: Dellquan Warren (Mississippi State), Elijah ‘Choppa’ Moore (Utah), Corey Chest (Ole Miss), Christian Nitu (Washington), Jaylen Dean-Vines (Vanderbilt), and Ailer Maluk (Florida State).

McNeese Success Since Wade & Armstrong Arrived in Lake Charles

Since Will Wade arrived at McNeese and Bill Armstrong followed him, the Cowboys have put together a remarkable run of success. Over the last three seasons, McNeese is 86-17, while LSU is 46-51.

McNeese has also made the NCAA Tournament in each of the last three seasons. In fact, the Cowboys have made the NCAA Tournament more times during that stretch than every other Division I program in Louisiana combined. The only other Louisiana school to make the tournament during that span was Grambling State in 2024.

“I think the numbers are what they are as far as who’s been the best team over the last three years. We’ve had three consecutive NCAA tournaments and three Southland Conference championships. I don’t think there’s any team in our state that can have matched that at this point,” Armstrong said.

Armstrong also knows that in the current landscape of college basketball, there is no room for complacency. We have to continue to work hard and continue to get better. Getting to the top of the mountain is difficult. Staying up there is extremely difficult, and that’s certainly what we want to do.”

On the LSU side, there is a bit more unknown. Will Wade is set for his second stint in Baton Rouge after returning to lead the Tigers following just one season at North Carolina State. During Wade’s first stint at LSU, he was 105-51 over his 6 seasons. That also included an SEC Regular Season Championship and three trips to the NCAA Tournament.

This year's LSU roster, however, is a much different story. The Tigers' official roster still lists just four players, while numerous potential Tigers remain in eligibility limbo. Wade has called it an “unconventional” roster build. He also wouldn't reveal exactly who will be available Thursday, adding another layer of intrigue to the exhibition. Wade is expected to bring over six or seven players for the matchup.

If we know Wade, we can assure you he has a few tricks up his sleeve. No matter how it works out, I think we all know it can't be much worse than the product on the court the last few years inside the Maravich Center.

Will Wade on McNeese/Lake Charles Impact

Wade has never missed an opportunity to talk about his time at McNeese. He labels it as McNeese “giving him a second chance,” and has said time and time again that is something he will forever be grateful for. Had it not been for his time in Lake Charles, Wade certainly wouldn’t have found his way back to Baton Rouge.

“I wouldn’t be sitting here if it wasn’t for them. If they hadn’t taken a chance on me, I’d never be sitting here. I can never repay what those people did for me and my family,” said Wade. “It will be weird being on the visiting sideline. Hopefully they won’t boo us too much.”

Typical Will. McNeese fans will certainly not boo Wade, and he knows that. However, they will likely roll the red carpet out for the one they call “Willy The Kid.”

Thursday night, Will Wade returns to Lake Charles to take on the program he helped bring back to life just a few short years ago. Sure, this is a preseason exhibition, but don't let that fool you. There is a little extra fire to win this game from both coaches. There’s no doubt about that.

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The Cowboys and Tigers will face off Thursday night in Lake Charles inside the Townsley Law Arena with tip-off set for 6:30. There are a limited number of seats remaining; visit the McNeese Ticket Office for ticket information.