2015-16 "Too Early" Preseason Basketball Top 25

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bearcat jeff said:
I would say with Caupain at 44% from the field and 41% from the 3, that he needs to shoot more. He is capable of being a good scorer. I actually found myself watching Koenig, Jones and Grayson Allen and thinking, "I hope Troy is watching these guys and how aggressive they are." I think TC can be a consistent 12-14 ppg guy who averages over 3 rpg and 4-5 apg.
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Caupain shot well but I think most of that was due to his low shot totals and waiting for a wide open shot. Not that that's bad, but IMO he hasn't shown that he is the guy the defenses need to worry about out there. In fact, even though he was shooting 40% from 3 other teams were still laying off of him. Compare that to Cobb who shot less than 35% but teams knew not to leave him open. I'd love another Cobb type that can hit around 40%, or hopefully Cobb can do it.
 
TheLongHaul said:
Caupain shot well but I think most of that was due to his low shot totals and waiting for a wide open shot. Not that that's bad, but IMO he hasn't shown that he is the guy the defenses need to worry about out there. In fact, even though he was shooting 40% from 3 other teams were still laying off of him. Compare that to Cobb who shot less than 35% but teams knew not to leave him open. I'd love another Cobb type that can hit around 40%, or hopefully Cobb can do it.
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I hear what you are saying about open shots but I think TC has it in him. I say that because of a few plays that stood out to me on the season when the shot clock was winding down. All clutch plays and quick release shots...not wide open set shots.

On one play it might be the fastest 3 point shot every made. The shot clock was at the very end and Troy was passed the ball on the wing and he caught the ball and released the ball at the same time without jumping or setting up. The clock was near zero and nothing but net. The second was against KY when he rebounded his own shot while in the air and the clock was at 0 he did the quick release and nothing but net. Another play, I forget the opponent, but he dribbled around at the top of the key working off screens so he could get a 3 point shot off and he was able to manufacture a shot rather than it being a set shot. Nothing but net.

I don't think he needs to be set to make hard shots. Obviously his % will be better on set shots and open looks. He just needs to realize he is THAT type of player!!
 
No matter what Troy's shooting percentage says, he's definitely not the type of shooter where when you see him going up for his shot, that you are highly confident that the shot will go in. Cobb, on the other hand, is that type of shooter....especially when he is in his groove. He was very inconsistent throughout the season, but you can envision him as a light's-out shooter much more that you can see Troy in that role. Troy's shooting percentage is much more related to his ability to drive the ball in close and get easier shots than it is to standing outside the arc and hitting those shots with precision.

Hopefully though, through maturity, hard work, and experience, his final two years will reflect a much better ability to shoot with consistency beyond the arc.
 
I don't want to put too many expectations on Troy, but I really think he is cut from the same cloth as Kilpatrick. They have similar builds, size, and athleticism. Both have a quick release. Both can take contact and score but don't play above the rim. I think Troy can be the go-to-guy on offense.

As for our talent level, I agree we need to recruit at a higher level. But after watching Wisconsin go to consecutive Final Fours with mostly 3-star and borderline 4-star players, I think we have the kind of group that could make a run.
 
waterhead said:
I hear what you are saying about open shots but I think TC has it in him. I say that because of a few plays that stood out to me on the season when the shot clock was winding down. All clutch plays and quick release shots...not wide open set shots.

On one play it might be the fastest 3 point shot every made. The shot clock was at the very end and Troy was passed the ball on the wing and he caught the ball and released the ball at the same time without jumping or setting up. The clock was near zero and nothing but net. The second was against KY when he rebounded his own shot while in the air and the clock was at 0 he did the quick release and nothing but net. Another play, I forget the opponent, but he dribbled around at the top of the key working off screens so he could get a 3 point shot off and he was able to manufacture a shot rather than it being a set shot. Nothing but net.

I don't think he needs to be set to make hard shots. Obviously his % will be better on set shots and open looks. He just needs to realize he is THAT type of player!!
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Troy received the ball late in the shot clock far too many times this year. It was a mix of him needing to come to the ball sooner, him not being a true PG and our players deferring to him way too late. We'll call this the SK effect. The new JJ (Justin Jenifer) should take care of this problem, and I think he'll boost Caupain's and Cobb's looks
 
L-T said:
No matter what Troy's shooting percentage says, he's definitely not the type of shooter where when you see him going up for his shot, that you are highly confident that the shot will go in. Cobb, on the other hand, is that type of shooter....especially when he is in his groove. He was very inconsistent throughout the season, but you can envision him as a light's-out shooter much more that you can see Troy in that role. Troy's shooting percentage is much more related to his ability to drive the ball in close and get easier shots than it is to standing outside the arc and hitting those shots with precision.

Hopefully though, through maturity, hard work, and experience, his final two years will reflect a much better ability to shoot with consistency beyond the arc.
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I'm not sure how you came up with this. I have a higher degree of confidence in TC's outside and mid range shot than anyone on the team. Whether or not he will play the "shooters" role I can probably agree with you. That will more likely be Cobb and Johnson. Caupain has other responsibilities which come before jacking up tons of 3's. I hope he gets to play the 2 a lot more this year however. That will depend on Jenifer.
 
waterhead said:
I'm not sure how you came up with this. I have a higher degree of confidence in TC's outside and mid range shot than anyone on the team. Whether or not he will play the "shooters" role I can probably agree with you. That will more likely be Cobb and Johnson. Caupain has other responsibilities which come before jacking up tons of 3's. I hope he gets to play the 2 a lot more this year however. That will depend on Jenifer.
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definitely have great confidence in Troy shooting. Him and Cobb
 
Robert said:
I don't want to put too many expectations on Troy, but I really think he is cut from the same cloth as Kilpatrick. They have similar builds, size, and athleticism. Both have a quick release. Both can take contact and score but don't play above the rim. I think Troy can be the go-to-guy on offense.

As for our talent level, I agree we need to recruit at a higher level. But after watching Wisconsin go to consecutive Final Fours with mostly 3-star and borderline 4-star players, I think we have the kind of group that could make a run.
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Wisconsin isn't mostly 3s and borderline 4s. They are mostly high 4s a 5s and some high 3s. We are def mostly 3s and very borderline 4s.
 
Nayers said:
hayes was a 4 star by all other major websites. Still, even with two 4/5 star recruits, that's two more than we have.
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Pretty sure Clark and Thomas were 4 star recruits. I actually think Sanders was as well. Also, Evans, who will be here next year, is as well. I don't think Jennifer is considered a 4 star anymore though.
 
Not Guilty said:
Pretty sure Clark and Thomas were 4 star recruits. I actually think Sanders was as well. Also, Evans, who will be here next year, is as well. I don't think Jennifer is considered a 4 star anymore though.
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It all depends on which website you use. If Sanders and Koenig were both 4 stars coming out of high school, why the difference in productivity is the question. We gotta optimize these recruits. I know shaq has more talent than what he has done so far in his career here.
 
Nayers said:
It all depends on which website you use. If Sanders and Koenig were both 4 stars coming out of high school, why the difference in productivity is the question. We gotta optimize these recruits. I know shaq has more talent than what he has done so far in his career here.
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Well now you are shifting the point, but our recruiting ended up being pretty dreadful from 2010-2012, mostly because the 2011 class missed so badly. We continued to be pretty good because of Sean Kilpatrick and great defense and then had a rebuilding year this year because we didn't have upperclassmen we could rely on like we had been able to do the previous 4 years.

I've been pretty happy with the last 3 classes though (including the one that is coming in this year). Hopefully that continues.
 
Not Guilty said:
Well now you are shifting the point, but our recruiting ended up being pretty dreadful from 2010-2012, mostly because the 2011 class missed so badly. We continued to be pretty good because of Sean Kilpatrick and great defense and then had a rebuilding year this year because we didn't have upperclassmen we could rely on like we had been able to do the previous 4 years.

I've been pretty happy with the last 3 classes though (including the one that is coming in this year). Hopefully that continues.
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Next year's class looks good, but that's on paper and on paper the 2011 looked good. Last years class (2014) was good, but they are only going to have two remaining from that class after next year and one is a complete unknown in Moore. Obviously Clark was a strong recruit. The 2013 class assuming Morman leaves will be Caupain and KJ. To me that is a pretty weak class. Recruiting no doubt has to improve.
 
Given the new contract with UA and more national exposure than maybe ever before under Cronin I look for recruiting to improve as well. Just take a look at the guys are are legit in on in the 2016 class like Atkins and Cumberland. We have a legit chance at those guys are their are plenty more.
 
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the_one_32 said:
Given the new contract with UA and more national exposure than maybe ever before under Cronin I look for recruiting to improve as well. Just take a look at the guys are are legit in on in the 2016 class like Atkins and Cumberland. We have a legit chance at those guys are their are plenty more.
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I think given the circumstances of downgrading from the Big East, to the American, older facilities, no plane for Mick, really really ugly Adidas tournament unis... we haven't slipped as bad as it could have been. UA is to these kids now what Nike used to be to a lot of us. It should really help out and I expect to see some more 4 star players coming our way. We are making the tourney every single year with these underrated players, but I fear our style of play is keeping NBA ready players away. Defense doesn't really matter in the NBA
 
That's why shortening the shot clock and making the college game more offensive would benefit UC more than we think. Mick can then sell the fact showcasing offensive skills won't be an issue but he can teach high level defense to top recruits.
 
the_one_32 said:
Given the new contract with UA and more national exposure than maybe ever before under Cronin I look for recruiting to improve as well. Just take a look at the guys are are legit in on in the 2016 class like Atkins and Cumberland. We have a legit chance at those guys are their are plenty more.
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Did we not have a chance with Abu or Terrell? Same for Kemba, Hasheem, Hopson etc...

We always were in with top talent, we were always bridesmaids. Partly due to facilities being outdated. I think that is the bigger issue, not sure if UA will actually help in recruiting. Lawrence was a big Adidas guy, but I have never heard a recruit say he wants to play for a UA school.
 

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