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Charles Barkley, Wally Szczerbiak heap high praise on Will Wade at NC State: 'The ACC better watch out'

ns_headshot_2024-clearby:Nick Schultz•03/22/25•

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McNeese State HC Will Wade
© Eric Canha-Imagn Images

Saturday, McNeese State saw its season come to an end. The Cowboys fell to Purdue in the second round of the NCAA Tournament after pulling off a first-round upset against Clemson.

With the end of the year, Will Wade’s future will now come into focus. The expectation is he will be announced as the head coach at NC State as he returns to power conference coaching, and CBS analysts Charles Barkley and Wally Szczerbiak had a warning for the ACC as Wade arrives.

Wade has a history of quick turnarounds during his career. He did so at both VCU and LSU, and he did so again at McNeese. That, Szczerbiak said, is why teams in the ACC should look out for NC State under Wade’s watch.

“The ACC better watch out because Will Wade is coming,” Szczerbiak said Saturday. “You know he turns teams around instantly. It’s going to be interesting to see him there.”

Wade has been impressive during his two years at McNeese, which came after LSU fired him following an investigation into alleged recruiting violations. The Cowboys went 50-9 under his watch and made back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances for the first time in school history. Thursday’s win over Clemson marked the program’s first-ever tournament victory.

As McNeese got ready for its first March Madness game, Wade didn’t shy away from the NC State chatter. He owned it, and so did his players. Barkley wondered if it would be a distraction of sorts for the Cowboys, but it turned out to be the opposite – and it showcased Wade’s coaching ability.

“I was impressed,” Barkley said. “I was concerned going into the first game, were they going to be invested? That guy can flat-out coach.

“NC State has got them a great coach. I feel bad for McNeese, but we’re all looking for better jobs. NC State is one of the best jobs in the country, and that guy can flat-out coach. Welcome, to him.”

Clemson was one of four teams from the ACC to make the NCAA Tournament, but only one remains. Duke is the last one standing from the league after the Tigers, North Carolina and Louisville all lost in the first round.

But with the transfer portal opening Monday, all eyes are on NC State. CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein reported Wade is signing a six-year contract with the Wolfpack, and the program reportedly has a general manager in place, as well, in former recruiting analyst Andrew Slater.