16. McNeese State
Consider what McNeese State has accomplished in the last decade: it isn’t very much at all. They’ve actually been below .500 each of the last eleven seasons and aren’t competitive in a pretty weak Southland Conference these days. However, the program made a major move in bringing former LSU head coach Will Wade to town just a year after NCAA violations ended his time in the SEC.
Before we discuss all the new guys, know that Christian Shumate is back for his junior year after averaging nearly a double-double last season for the Cowboys. Wade has already added a series of transfers to bolster this roster for next season, with none as important as point guard Shahada Wells of TCU. McNeese also adds Mike Saunders, a combo guard from Utah, CJ Felder, a wing from Florida, and Zach Harvey, who also had time at Florida before spending last season at UC Santa Barbara.
The level of talent at McNeese State for next season will be significantly increased. The impact of Wade’s hiring will be immense in the immediate future for a program in complete dormancy. McNeese State has not been in the Big Dance since 2002 but will have a significantly higher chance at that success moving forward. This is probably the Southland’s best program for as long as Wade stays in Lake Charles.