LAKE CHARLES – The McNeese men’s basketball team is rising in the rankings.
Will Wade’s Cowboys debuted at No. 23 in this week’s Field of 68 Mid-Major Top 25 poll. McNeese is the second-highest team receiving votes in the College Insider mid-major poll, ranking just outside its top 25.
McNeese is 4-0 for the first time since the 1972-73 season and opened the season up with an 11-point win at VCU, marking the first time since that 85-86 slate to beat a Division I team in the opener.
It is also the first time since 2010-11 that McNeese has appeared in the mid-major rankings.
Western Carolina, which McNeese will visit on Saturday, is ranked 15th in the Field of 68 poll while also receiving votes in the College Insider poll.
McNeese received 64 points in that poll, ranking 27th while WCU collected 44 points to rank 33rd. Other McNeese opponents receiving votes include Southern Miss and Nicholls.
In addition, Major Madness has the Cowboys ranked No. 12 in its latest small conference Top 25 poll. Western Carolina is ranked ninth and Dec. 2 opponent UT Martin is 25th.