Do not be surprised if McNeese State makes a run during March Madness as one of the most fun college basketball programs in the country. Student manager Amir Khan has a ridiculous amount of aura and could single-handedly lead the Cowboys to a magical run over the next few weeks.
They have an energy similar to that of D.J. Burns and North Carolina State last season.
McNeese, coached by the ever-villainous Will Wade, currently sits atop the Southland Conference standings at 22-6 with three regular season college basketball games left to play before the conference tournament. Their only loss during conference play was a flukey loss at Nicholls State. The other five came during the early season to a sneaky South Dakota State team in its home gym, No. 2 Alabama, two strong mid-majors at full health in Liberty and Santa Clara, and No. 25 Mississippi State by three.
All of this goes to say that the Cowboys were humbled by the Colonels and have been on a roll ever since. Not to jinx anything, but I would be shocked if they were to lose another game before The Big Dance. As McNeese State continues to dominate, the entire team is playing with swagger. They really hit a groove.
Phil Mitchell Jr., aka PJ, serves as the assistant AD for creative media down in Lake Charles. He posted a video of the basketball team’s walkout from Saturday that could not go harder. It shows student manager Amir Khan spitting (almost) every lyric to ‘In & Out’ by Lud Foe alongside the players.
Never felt this much hype before a game—easily one of my all-time favorite filming moments😂🔥@McNeeseMBB x #BayouBandits pic.twitter.com/NSqphtjFlP
— “Who is PJ?” 🎞 (@Phil_UpOnMe) February 24, 2025
Khan, in his second year with the program, says this about his time at McNeese:
If they kept manager stats for rebounding and wiping up wet spots on the court, I’d put up Wilt Chamberlain numbers.
— Amir Khan
Legend!!
My guy Amir ‼️ True to this not new to this 🔥🔥 https://t.co/BtHkJyq1jx pic.twitter.com/fvgxXZ3uQk
— Matt Choice (@pe0ples_choice) February 24, 2025
Wade often says that every single person in his program is important. Assistant coach Shawn Forrest echoed the head coach’s sentiments.
All of our managers are unbelievable and work their butts off that’s why our players love them.
— Shawn Forrest
The Cowboys are playing their best basketball when it matters most and Khan is bringing the juice. Assuming they get there, which they should, nobody wants to see them as a dangerous 12-seed!