McNeese Cowboys guard Quadir Copeland (11) dunks as UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros forward Kwo Agwa (12) looks on in Lake Charles, Louisiana on Monday, February 24, 2025. Copeland and Wade found common ground, the Cowboys began to win, and the rest of last season became historic. The first player Wade hugged after McNeese beat Clemson in the first round of the NCAA Tournament was Copeland. Expected to be a bench player, Copeland has become a star with the Wolfpack. Jim Gazzolo is a freelance writer who covers McNeese State athletics for the American Press.