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(N.C.) State of mind
Will Wade's coaching McNeese in the NCAA Tournament today against Clemson. But he didn't attempt to hide that he's accepted the coaching job at NC State. Plus: Xavier fins a First Four thriller, Round of 64 games you shouldn't miss, the seven impact players for the Big Dance, and all the transfer portal activity from Wednesday.
Samuel Lance
March 20, 2025
Good morning! Ready for the NCAA Tournament to tip off? Join The Field of 68 starting at Noon ET for our MadnessCast. The crew will be discussing games all day.
Let's get to Wednesday’s news.
1. Will Wade off to NC State (but will coach in NCAA tourney first)
It’s a rarity for a head coach to take another job while his current team is still playing in the NCAA Tournament. But that’s exactly what Will Wade has done.
Multiple reports on Wednesday have confirmed Wade will be the next head coach at NC State.
Over the last two years, Wade has amassed a 57-10 record at McNeese State, including two Southland regular-season and tournament titles. He’ll be taking over for Kevin Keatts, who went 12-19 this season at the helm of NC State after making the 2024 Final Four.
Wade’s 12-seed McNeese squad will play No. 5 Clemson today. It could be his last game coaching the Cowboys unless they pull off the upset. Wade said in his press conference on Wednesday that his players have stayed informed about him potentially taking another job.
“I lay it all out there to my players, and my players have laid it all out there to me,” Wade said. “We are transparent. We’ve shared it all with each other.
“There’s no need to hide it. The guys are reading it on social media. It’s no secret. ... They can read right through the BS, so you might as well say, ‘Hey, this is what it is. Here we are, and we’ll figure it out.’”
The official announcement will come once McNeese’s season ends. He maintains that his focus has been on today’s Round of 64 game against Clemson.
“Last year we were giddy about just being here and it was almost like a field trip,” Wade said, via the News & Observer. “This year it’s much more about our business and about, ‘Hey, let’s see if we can do the things we need to do to try to win a game.’”
Wade, 42, previously coached at Chattanooga, VCU and LSU. He had a winning record at each stop and a 105-51 record at LSU before Wade and the school parted ways due to recruiting violations after the 2021-22 season. If history tells us anything, he should be successful as the head man of the Wolfpack.
2. First Four delivers instant classic + tourney news to know
If there was ever a way to end the First Four and preview what’s to come today, it was Xavier’s thrilling comeback vs. Texas on Wednesday night.
