Ever since he got fired from LSU amid a recruiting scandal, it was clear that Will Wade was on his way back to the highest level of college basketball. After one season off, Wade went to McNeese State for two seasons before accepting the head coach job at NC State after the 2024-25 season.

McNeese's two-year spin on the Will Wade thrill ride came to an end Saturday as the No. 12 seed Cowboys fell 76-62 to No. 4 seed Purdue in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Wade is set to replace Kevin Keatts as NC State's head coach after leading the Cowboys through their greatest chapter in program history.