Alabama to host Will Wade, McNeese in non-conference game in November

Alabama is expected to host Will Wade and McNeese on Nov. 11 in Tuscaloosa, according to a report from Jon Rothstein. McNeese completed a 30-4 season under Wade in his first year as head coach this past season.

This adds to the Crimson Tide’s strong non-conference slate, which includes games against Creighton, Purdue, Illinois and more.

After McNeese’s success in year one on top of Wade’s history in the SEC, this makes for one of November’s most intriguing matchups. Wade previously spent six seasons as the head coach of the LSU Tigers where Wade’s and Alabama head coach Nate Oats’ paths had crossed multiple times leading to some memorable matchups. This includes the 2021 SEC Tournament Championship game, which the Crimson Tide won 80-79.

Wade was fired by LSU for cause in March 2022. A notice of allegations from the NCAA charged him with five Level I violations, which included paying players. That firing came after he had previously been suspended in 2019 and was reinstated once his contract was changed to allow LSU to fire him for cause if it was proven he committed a major violation.

He compiled a 105-51 record from 2017-22 at LSU, including a trip to the Sweet Sixteen. Leading the Cowboys to the NCAA Tournament this past season, McNeese would ultimately fall to the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the first round.

Meanwhile, the Crimson Tide made program history this past season as the first-ever Alabama Men’s Basketball team to make a Final Four. While they ultimately fell short of their national championship aspirations, Nate Oats and his staff have been busy this offseason to make sure last year’s success carries over.

Since the end of the season, Alabama has added the likes of center Clifford Omoruyi, guards Aden Holloway and Houston Mallette and small forward Chris Youngblood out on the NCAA transfer portal and are likely not finished.

Not to mention having the No. 3 overall recruiting class coming in next season featuring Prolific Prep teammates Derrion Reid and Aiden Sherrell — the Crimson Tide has one of the best-looking rosters on paper already for next season including those who have already announced their return from last year’s roster such as forwards Mo Dioubate and Grant Nelson.

Given the schedule they’ve put together, the Crimson Tide is going to need a big-time roster to combat what is sure to be one of the harder non-conference schedules in the country.