'13 VA SG Troy Caupain (Commit)

[anbuc88]

If Lawrence miraculously chooses UC, I wouldn't mind going young, and even struggling a bit in preparation for the following season.

PG - Caupain
SG - JDIII
SG - S K
SF - Lawrence
PF/C - Strickland

On paper, solves the offensive woes a bit. Defense would struggle though. And that's why Mick wouldn't do it.

Might be really good the next season if Lawrence sticks around.

If Lawrence does choose UC then the starting lineup IMO would be:

PG- Guyn
SG- SK
SF- Lawrence
PF- Rubles
C- DN

You have to expect improvement in the offseason from the returning players, and can't just look at them today and expect them to be the same players next year. Guyn should be able to improve his handle in the offseason, DN will be stronger with another year of weight work and should be able to provide defense and rebounding, and Rubles will be better with one year of D1 experience under his belt. I expect Shaq Thomas to make a big jump with increased strength, and Sanders to be a solid, consistent contributor. JD3 is the wild card and Caupain and Strickland will get significant playing time. They will still hang their hat on defense, and that won't be possible if the freshman get significant playing time.

 

[mplebanon]

If Lawrence does choose UC then the starting lineup IMO would be:

PG- Guyn
SG- SK
SF- Lawrence
PF- Rubles
C- DN

You have to expect improvement in the offseason from the returning players, and can't just look at them today and expect them to be the same players next year. Guyn should be able to improve his handle in the offseason, DN will be stronger with another year of weight work and should be able to provide defense and rebounding, and Rubles will be better with one year of D1 experience under his belt. I expect Shaq Thomas to make a big jump with increased strength, and Sanders to be a solid, consistent contributor. JD3 is the wild card and Caupain and Strickland will get significant playing time. They will still hang their hat on defense, and that won't be possible if the freshman get significant playing time.

I'm just not convinced that Mick is that comfortable with Guyn at PG. The rest of your lineup is probably right, but I think PG is up for grabs next season.

 

[JackBauer151]

troy caupain jr ‏@caupain10
Triple double tonight 22 points 13 rebounds and 11 assist

 

[mdchick]

http://www.chesterfieldmonthly.com/index.php/family/stay-or-leave

pretty cool article about troy

 

[JumpinJack5]

http://www.chesterfieldmonthly.com/index.php/family/stay-or-leave

pretty cool article about troy

He reminds me of SK, he seems like a gritty player who will do whatever it takes to help himself get better. He mentioned on his twitterfeed that SK was his role model, and it seems fitting. They aren't flashy players, but they seem like hard working and level headed guys, love seeing these types of guys in the program.

 

[JumpinJack5]

Found some highlights, if anyone wants to see. Man, this guy can play. Big, strong, relentless with his effort. He reminds me of JaQuon if he were a point guard. I think the biggest thing they will work on with Caupain is his shot, and even that it pretty decent, but everything else looks great. Don't be surprised to see Strickland, Lawrence, or Caupain start on any given night next year. All 3 can play. Johnson is good, will take a year to adjust, IMO. Morman is good, if we can find a way to keep everyone, he is icing on the cake.

Link to Caupain highlights:http://vimeo.com/39730755

 

[JumpinJack5]

And let me say this, he is just a bit taller and bigger than Cash! Scary thing is, he runs even faster than Cash.

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

Found some highlights, if anyone wants to see. Man, this guy can play. Big, strong, relentless with his effort. He reminds me of JaQuon if he were a point guard. I think the biggest thing they will work on with Caupain is his shot, and even that it pretty decent, but everything else looks great. Don't be surprised to see Strickland, Lawrence, or Caupain start on any given night next year. All 3 can play. Johnson is good, will take a year to adjust, IMO. Morman is good, if we can find a way to keep everyone, he is icing on the cake.

Link to Caupain highlights:http://vimeo.com/39730755

That was pretty poor competition though. That is my only concern with him, he didn't play at the D-1 (or equivalent) level.

 

[bearcat18]

That was pretty poor competition though. That is my only concern with him, he didn't play at the D-1 (or equivalent) level.

That was just a camp. Pretty sure his high school (Cosby) is comparative to a DII high school in Ohio. Not too bad.

And he did well in AAU with Team Loaded who participated in some good events.

 

[JumpinJack5]

That was pretty poor competition though. That is my only concern with him, he didn't play at the D-1 (or equivalent) level.

In that video, he actually played pretty good competition, but they didn't play much d. It sorta looked like a summer league, so you can't take a whole lot from it, but I noticed that there weren't any highlights under his thread. In his actual HS season, I would agree, he didn't face top notch competition. I'm pretty sure Jeff thought it was similar to d3 in Ohio, so depending on his league competition, that could be good or bad.

 

[bearcat jeff]

He was co-MVP at Big Shots DC last April so I feel pretty confident that he can perform against good competition.

 

[bearcat18]

troy caupain jr ‏@caupain10

Almost had a triple double tonight in the @804AllStarGame. 15 points 13rebs and 9assist.. It's my life!

 

[JumpinJack5]

troy caupain jr ‏@caupain10

Almost had a triple double tonight in the @804AllStarGame. 15 points 13rebs and 9assist.. It's my life!

Most impressive thing about his game is how he fills the stat sheet. I watched some highlights, he plays a lot like JaQuon, except he is a much better ball handler. If he is a PG at UC, the rebounds might go down a little because he will have to get back after a miss, but he still will help with the defensive rebounding. He is so good at finding open teammates, which is one of the most important aspects of being a PG. Can't wait to see him next year, hope he plays in the Deveroes tourney so I can get an early glimpse.

 

[Patrick Bateman]

When we were recruiting Cashmere, wasn't one of the knocks on him his competition in Savannah? He turned out alright, #1 in school history in steals and games played.

 

[bearcat jeff]

When we were recruiting Cashmere, wasn't one of the knocks on him his competition in Savannah? He turned out alright, #1 in school history in steals and games played.

How good would Cash have been if he could have had a healthy career? I'm excited about Caupain. I'm not predicting 20 ppg but I think he is going to be a solid all around player that makes plays. This team needs guys who makes plays.

 

[CPAW29]

your right Jeff, he can make everybody else around him better. I'm ready for season to get started now

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

When we were recruiting Cashmere, wasn't one of the knocks on him his competition in Savannah? He turned out alright, #1 in school history in steals and games played.

Cashmere Wright was one of the top point guards in that class rated above Isaiah Thomas (in NBA), Korrie Lucious, Terrell Holloway and Mark Lyons. I know that these rankings don't mean much but he was a highly regarded recruit unlike Caupain who is an underrated signee.

Personally, I could see this kid getting good minutes and contributing as a freshman. For comparison: Cashmere Wright averaged 5.4 points, 2 assists and 0.7 steals a game in 19 minutes.

 

[JumpinJack5]

Cashmere Wright was one of the top point guards in that class rated above Isaiah Thomas (in NBA), Korrie Lucious, Terrell Holloway and Mark Lyons. I know that these rankings don't mean much but he was a highly regarded recruit unlike Caupain who is an underrated signee.

Personally, I could see this kid getting good minutes and contributing as a freshman. For comparison: Cashmere Wright averaged 5.4 points, 2 assists and 0.7 steals a game in 19 minutes.

Recruiting wise, he is more like JaQuon Parker. Not by skill set, but how they are both tough and gritty, fill the stat sheet and were underrated recruits.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

a award for Troy:

http://www.timesdispatch.com/sports...cle_0b026b58-999d-11e2-8c93-0019bb30f31a.html

 

[L-T]

a award for Troy:

http://www.timesdispatch.com/sports...cle_0b026b58-999d-11e2-8c93-0019bb30f31a.html

Good article. Sounds like a great addition to the team. I just wonder what kind of speed he has. It would be nice to get some guards with Peyton Siva/Russ Smith level speed to go along with a strong skill level as well.