After an undefeated 2-0 start to the season, the Alabama Crimson Tide will officially return to the basketball court Monday night at home for a matchup against the visiting McNeese Cowboys.
One of the nation’s best mid-major’s a year ago, the Cowboys are coached by a name that is familiar to Alabama, and should provide a significant early-season test for the Crimson Tide. Yes, this is a team that could easily be one making a NCAA Tournament appearance come March, and is an opponent that Alabama must take seriously if they want to win.
Here is everything you need to know about the Cowboys ahead of their trip to Tuscaloosa on Monday night:
McNeese Cowboys Team Overview
- Team Name: McNeese Cowboys
- Conference: Southland
- Arena: Legacy Center, Lake Charles, Louisiana
- 2024-25 Record: 1-1 overall
- Ranking: Unranked in AP Poll, Unranked in Coaches Poll
McNeese comes to Tuscaloosa with a 1-1 overall record in which their loss came against South Dakota State in the season opener. The Cowboys are also a member of the Southland Conference, which they won a year ago at 30-4 overall to make a NCAA Tournament appearance.
McNeese Cowboys Coaching Staff
- Head Coach: Will Wade
- Assistant Coach: Brandon Chambers
- Assistant Coach: Vernon Hamilton
- Assistant Coach: Shawn Forrest
The head coach of the McNeese Cowboys is Will Wade, who compiled a combined 105-51 record with three NCAA Tournament appearances in the same role with the LSU Tigers from 2018-22. In his second season at McNeese, Wade has a combined 31-5 record as head coach of the Cowboys.
McNeese Cowboys 2024-25 Stats
- PPG: 92 (No. 60 in NCAA)
- PPG Allowed: 68.5 (No. 158 in NCAA)
- FG%: 50.4
- 3P%: 30.4
- FT%: 69.8
- RPG: 37
- APG: 18.5
- SPG: 14
- BPG: 2
McNeese certainly has the offensive ability to hang with Alabama at times in this contest averaging 92 PPG for the season. The Cowboys are also one of the nation’s top teams so far this year when it comes to steals per game, as they rank No. 13 nationally with 14.
McNeese Cowboys Names to Know
- Javohn Garcia, Guard – Senior
- Alyn Breed, Guard – Redshirt Senior
- Christian Shumate, Forward – Senior
- Sincere Parker, Guard – Junior
- DJ Richards Jr., Guard – Junior
Lastly, the Cowboys are a team that has experience all over the court led by Javohn Garcia, a senior guard who averages 18 PPG for McNeese State. In addition to Garcia, all four of the other players mentioned above are all averaging in double-figures this season.