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We are still about 2 weeks away from the tip-off of a new college basketball season, which means that we have plenty of time to start preparing for the action ahead. We will do so via a series of season previews featuring the best players/coaches in the country. HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel continues our coverage with McNeese coach Will Wade, who talked about having a great defense and his expectations for this season.
You went to college at Clemson: what was the best part of being a student manager for the basketball team? The fun part was being able to experience being part of a high-level team in the ACC. I got to do a lot of different things and see how the guts of a program operate.
In 2011 as an assistant to Shaka Smart at VCU you became the 1st team to ever reach the Final 4 by winning 5 tournament games: what is your favorite memory from that remarkable run? There were so many great memories. 1 thing I will never forget off the court is our drive to the airport and seeing the whole community supporting us. As far as on the court, my favorite memory is Rob Brandenburg’s block at the buzzer in our OT win over Florida State in the Sweet 16 (www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-Pcd2lfN9o).
In the 2021 SEC tourney title game as coach at LSU you had a 1-PT loss to Alabama: how close did you come to winning the title? Very close: we missed a tip-in off a missed shot at the buzzer. It remains 1 of the better games I have ever been involved with.
After missing the 1st 10 games last season as head coach at McNeese last year you finished 22-2: what did you do during those 1st 10 games, and how big a deal was it to make the school’s 1st NCAA tourney in 22 years? It was great for the school/community that we finally made the NCAA tourney. Those 1st 10 games were tough: I was able to be around the team at practice but would watch the games from far away. My assistants did a great job keeping everything together and won a bunch of games.
Last February you signed a 5-year contract extension: what did it mean to you to receive such strong support after everything you have been through over the past several years? The timing was right: McNeese gave me a 2nd chance by hiring me and I wanted to remain loyal to them and make sure they were well-positioned if I ever do leave.
You were named conference COY last spring: what did it mean to you to receive such an outstanding honor? It means that we have good players! I stay out of the way and let them do what they do: it is not about me. I was happier that we had the conference POY/Newcomer of the Year (Shahada Wells) and conference DPOY (Christian Shumate).
Last year you were top-6 in the nation with 10.3 SPG/38.9 FG% allowed/62.2 PPG allowed: what is the key to playing great defense? We switch a lot of stuff and do some unique things that are difficult to prepare for. You need length/athleticism: our guys pay attention to detail by sticking to our scheme.
Your roster has players from 1 foreign country (Canada) and 10 different states (FL/GA/IL/IN/LA/MD/NJ/OH/PA/TX): what sort of recruiting philosophy do you have? We recruit where we have relationships that we have developed over the years. Our roster reflects those relationships and a lot of kids want to come experience our program/Lake Charles.
Providence transfer Alyn Breed tore his meniscus last month: how is he doing post-surgery? He is doing very well: he has been practicing full-steam ahead and should be full-go for our 1st game.
What are your goals for the upcoming season, and what are your expectations for the upcoming season? We just want to continue to progress/improve and build off last year. We need to get better with our details and have a top-30 defense/top-25 offense. We cannot control a lot of things…but 1 thing we can control is what we do every day.