Analyst Dick Vitale changes tune on Will Wade after NCAA tournament win
Will Wade's career is reaching myth status. Wade is only 42, but he has some stories to tell. He's on his fourth head coaching stop, working at Chattanooga, VCU, LSU, and McNeese. On Thursday, Wade led McNeese State to an upset over Clemson in the NCAA Tournament.
According to reports, Wade will be off to his fifth school, NC State, after McNeese is done in the tournament. But for now, Wade is locked in on the task at hand.
Wade's LSU tenure was tumultuous. The Tigers were consistently one of the best teams in the SEC under Wade, but recruiting violations hovered above the program. Wade was fired in 2022 after the NCAA delivered its Notice of Allegations. With NIL now being legal, Wade was the last coach to be fired for recruiting violations.
One of Wade's harshest critics during his time at LSU was ESPN college basketball analyst Dick Vitale.
Vitale took issue with how Wade went about his business with the Tigers, often being critical of Wade on radio, social media, and television broadcasts.
On Thursday, as Wade took the limelight in McNeese State's win, Vitale changed his tune.
"The energy by (McNeese) is created by their coach Will Wade - let got at LSU for NCAA violations - must give him lots of credit for rebuilding his career," Vitale said.
The energy by the @McNeeseMBB is created by their coach Will Wade - let go at LSU for @NCAA violations-must give him lots of credit for rebuilding his career. Said it a # of times he knows how to get TEAMS TO PLAY with passion .McNeese up by 15 with 6 minutes to go vs Clemson…
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) March 20, 2025
Vitale is one of a few analysts shifting their opinion on Wade. With NIL now being legal, the idea of paying players is the norm.
This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: Dick Vitale changes tune on Will Wade after McNeese beats Clemson
Topics
-
How far does Dick Vitale have Wisconsin going in the 2025 NCAA Tournament?
College basketball analysts Dick Vitale sharing his final prediction before the 2025 NCAA Tournament tips off. Here is where he has the BadgersYahoo Sports - 1d -
Dick Vitale predicts winner of Gonzaga vs. Georgia basketball
ESPN legend Dick Vitale predicts who will win the first-round game between the Georgia Bulldogs and Gonzaga BulldogsYahoo Sports - 1d -
Dick Vitale shares emotional cancer message on air: 'Have faith and believe.'
ESPN's Dick Vitale said the Duke-Louisville ACC broadcast would be his last of this season. Hall of Famer has battled cancer treatments.Yahoo Sports - 5d -
How LSU fans reacted to Will Wade leading McNeese to NCAA Tournament win
McNeese upset Clemson in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Here's how LSU fans reacted to their former coach getting the win.Yahoo Sports - 7h -
Will Wade's impending departure a price McNeese is happy to pay for revived basketball program
McNeese President Wade Rousse sat down with Will Wade when he hired him as basketball coach and laid out a two-year plan: Make the NCAA Tournament in the first year, and win a game in the second. ...Yahoo Sports - 18h -
March Madness predictions: Dick Vitale projects Michigan-Michigan State Elite Eight game
Are you serious? Dick Vitale has projected Michigan and Michigan State to play in the Elite Eight. Here's who he picked to win:Yahoo Sports - 2d -
ESPN's Vitale gets emotional on ACC broadcast
ESPN's Dick Vitale became emotional Saturday night when talking about his most recent cancer battle while announcing Duke's victory over Louisville in the ACC tournament championship.ESPN - 5d -
Dick Vitale gets emotional talking about cancer battle on Duke-Louisville broadcast
ESPN's Dick Vitale said Saturday's broadcast would be his last of this season. "Have faith and believe," he told cancer patients.Yahoo Sports - 5d -
McNeese scripts 'biggest day' in upset of Clemson
McNeese coach Will Wade and his boom box-toting manager are moving on in March Madness after the 12th-seeded Cowboys held off No. 5 seed Clemson in the first bracket buster of the NCAA tournament.ESPN - 3h
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Ohio State women's basketball vs Montana State in NCAA Tournament first round
It's Ohio State women's basketball vs Montana State in the first round of March Madness. Follow for scores, NCAA Tournament updates from the game.Yahoo Sports - 41m -
Viktor Hovland contending at the Valspar Championship after (another) coaching change
Two weeks ago, Hovland announced a switch back to Grant Waite, insisting he's trying to "get to the bottom" of his slump.Yahoo Sports - 43m -
Auburn basketball vs Creighton: Who has edge in 2025 NCAA Tournament second round?
It’s Auburn Tigers vs. Creighton Blue Jays in the March Madness bracket. Here’s our prediction, pick for the 2025 NCAA Tournament basketball game.Yahoo Sports - 44m -
Georgia Amoore scores 34 points and Kentucky holds off charge by Liberty for 79-78 March Madness win
Georgia Amoore scored 34 points, including three free throws in the final 10 seconds for fourth-seeded Kentucky, which nearly blew a 17-point fourth-quarter lead but held on for a 79-78 victory ...Yahoo Sports - 44m -
Mexican club Leon banned from FIFA Club World Cup
Club Leon from Mexico were incensed Friday after they were banned from the June-July Club World Cup in the United States for violating rules on multi-ownership, FIFA announced Friday. A FIFA ...Yahoo Sports - 48m
More in Sports
-
Ohio State women's basketball vs Montana State in NCAA Tournament first round
It's Ohio State women's basketball vs Montana State in the first round of March Madness. Follow for scores, NCAA Tournament updates from the game.Yahoo Sports - 41m -
Poch after loss: Wearing U.S. shirt 'not enough'
Mauricio Pochettino was left visibly frustrated after the USMNT's shock 1-0 defeat to Panama in the Concacaf Nations League, bluntly telling his players it was not enough to just simply show up in ...ESPN - 41m -
Skenes' 1-of-1 rookie card fetches record $1.11M
Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes' 2024 Topps Chrome Update MLB debut patch autograph card sold for a stunning $1.11 million, including buyer's premium.ESPN - 41m -
Bronny has season-high 17 points in Lakers' loss
Bronny James scored a season-high 17 points on 7-for-10 shooting and added five assists, three rebounds and a block in 30 minutes of playing time against the Bucks.ESPN - 41m -
Wood carded for signing autographs in NZ win
Chris Wood picked up a yellow card for signing autographs and taking pictures with fans during New Zealand's win over Fiji in their World Cup qualifier on Thursday.ESPN - 41m