Two weeks ago, Cowboy sharpshooter DJ Richards answered questions about a struggling offense and his slow start to the season.

“I’m still one of the best shooters in the country, and we are working to get going,” Richards said. “We are going to figure it out.”

Four games into conference play and Richards looks like a psychic.

Injuries and illness helped force a change in the McNeese State starting lineup and rotation, and something has clicked. Richards and crew are now 4-0 in the Southland Conference and 10-5 overall heading into this weekend’s games.

“It’s better,” head coach Will Wade said of his offense. “It still is not where we need to be. We still don’t pay enough attention to the scouting report.”

Shooting is one of the big keys, especially from long range. Before the conference opened, McNeese struggled with its 3-point game, making just 69 of 231 (29%). On those shots, its opponents outscored it 285- 207. 

Since then, the Cowboys have been 40 of 95 (42.1%) and hold a 120-87 advantage from behind the arc. Those numbers are tops in the SLC, as is their average of 83 points per game.

“We are a good 3-point shooting team, I said that even when we weren’t making those shots,” said Wade. “Our ball movement has been better and we are making the shots.

“It’s amazing how much better your offense looks when you make shots.”

Richards has been a key to the Cowboys’ improvement in shooting. After making just 30.2% of his threes in the first 11 games (only 23% against Division I foes), he has been hot, fulfilling another promise. 

“I have got to make the shots I’m getting,” said Richards before the league. “I feel like I can play in Switzerland and I will make shots when I have my confidence.   

“I know what I can be and what shots I can make. I’m going to do that right now. I’m coming back from break with my head right and ready to go.”

Since the break, Richards has gone 16 of 41 from long range, a whopping 51.6%, good for second in the league. He is behind only teammate Sincere Parker, who is 8 of 14 (57.1%).

As a team, the Cowboys are coming off Monday’s season-high 16 threes against Northwestern State. Increased passing has helped lead to four easy wins by a combined total of 95 points, a 23.7 average.

Not one of their four victories has been closer than 19 points.

Besides Richards, Quadir Copeland has moved into the lineup at point guard. Copeland has moved smoothly into this role, and since starting, he has averaged 8.5 assists, which is the highest in league games.

“I give Copeland a lot of credit,” said Wade. “He has been willing to drive the ball and kick it out. He’s been great for us at point guard.”

That move has freed Javohn Garcia to play more off the ball. Garcia has responded by averaging 20 points in the last four games, including a career-best 26 two games ago. He was also named SLC Player of the Week Monday.

“Just trying to take what defense gives,” said Garcia. “I’m not looking to shoot more, just trying to read the defense and make the right play.”

Garcia and Wade both credit the team’s ability to share the ball and playing faster as two reasons for the offensive change.

“Our assist rates are way up,” said Wade. “I don’t think that it’s not a coincidence that our shooting numbers are way up. 

“We’re making more threes because we’re taking better numbers. Our guys are trusting each other and making the right passes and making the right plays.”

As for the McNeese offense in the future, maybe we should just ask Richards, he seems to be good at such predictions.