One year after promising he would “win and win now” Will Wade and his Cowboys delivered.

In his debut season at McNeese State, the head coach even over-delivered, as he and his team rolled to their first Southland Conference Tournament title in 22 years Wednesday night in the Legacy Center.

McNeese’s 96-72 win over third-seeded Nicholls gives the Cowboys a 30-3 record, 18-0 at home, and a ticket to the NCAA Tournament next week. The brackets for the tournament will be announced Sunday.

McNeese will host a Selection Watch Party in the Legacy Center with all fans invited. It will be the third time in program history the Cowboys have made the NCAA Tournament. They are 0-2.

Wednesday’s victory was the third this year by the Cowboys over the Colonels.

“I am so happy for our players, our school and our community,” said McNeese head coach Will Wade. “This is a great accomplishment.”

McNeese improved to 30-3 with the win, just the second 30-win season in program history and first on the Division I level. It is a 19-win turnaround from last year when the Cowboys finished 11-23, their most losses ever. 

“It has been a great season,” said forward Christian Shumate, the only returning starter. “I’m glad I came back for it and I’m happy for our fans, but we aren’t done.”

The real party starts in a week.