PROVIDENCE, R.I. – As reports circulate that Will Wade is all but gone to North Carolina State, the Cowboys are set to play in their biggest game of the year.

If not, their history.

Nobody from the school would confirm whether it is Wade’s swan song at McNeese State. 

“I do not respond to rumors,” McNeese Athletic Director Heath Schroyer said. “I have talked to Coach Wade, and he is 100 percent behind coaching the Cowboys in this tournament, and he is focused on Clemson.”

The news hit social media just as the Cowboys started their Wednesday afternoon practice at Brown University. Wade had admitted earlier in his press conference that he had talked with N.C. State but did not elaborate. 

No official announcement has been made by N.C. state or Wade’s representatives. 

When reached after the late practice, Wade texted only, “focused on Clemson.”

The news breaks on the eve of a historic day for McNeese.

In their first 50 years playing on the Division I level, the Cowboys have been to the NCAA Tournament just twice. Under Wade, they are two-for-two.

Over Wade’s two years, the team has won 57 games, the most in program history, and lost only 10. They have also destroyed the Southland Conference with a 40-2 record. 

The Cowboys have turned around a dead program and are now considered among the best in the nation in Mid-Majors. But they still haven’t won an NCAA Tournament game.

McNeese will get its fourth shot in just over a half-century Thursday when they take on Clemson inside Amica Mutual Pavilion. The Midwest Regional first-round game will tip-off at 2:15 p.m. Lake Charles time on truTV.

“We are excited for the opportunity to play again in the tournament,” Wade said. “To get another chance, we have earned it.”

McNeese, the region’s No. 12 seed, and No. 5 Clemson are both 27-6 heading into the contest. And both enter the tournament hot.

McNeese has won 22 of its last 23 games, while the Tigers, Wade’s alma mater, have taken 18 of their previous 21.

“They are playing really well and are a good team,” said Wade. “This is going to be a tough game.”

The winner will take on the survivor of No. 4 Purdue and No. 13 High Point on Saturday. 

The Cowboys, 0-3 all-time in the NCAA, lost in the first round to Gonzaga last season in Salt Lake City.

“We are more hungry this year,” said McNeese’s Javohn Garcia, the Southland Conference Player of the Year. “We got a taste of it last year, but we want more this time.”

This is more of a business trip.

“We learned a lot about our team from that game,” said forward Christian Shumate. “It was great to get that experience, but you are almost unsatisfied after having it, especially when you get the opportunity again because you want more.

“Everybody on the team is just thirsty to win, thirsty to play again, and thirsty to have more time together around each other and each other and make more moments happen.”

For that to come true, McNeese must find a way to deal with 6-foot-11 center Viktor Lakhin and 6-8 Ian Schieffelin. The power duo averages 24.4 points and 15.7 rebounds a game. 

Add guard Chase Hunter’s 16.4 points per outing, and the Tigers have a solid inside and outside combination.

“We can’t let them pound the ball inside and initiate us in the paint,” said Wade. “We have improved a lot from last year; we will find out if we have improved enough.”

We will also learn much more about the future of McNeese basketball starting Thursday.