Troy Caupain, biggest steal in '13 class

[JumpinJack5]

With all of the social media, recruiting websites, etc., it is very hard for recruits to fall through the cracks now. Yet, some still do. I would argue that SO FAR, Troy Caupain has been the biggest steal out of the 2013 class in all of college basketball. If they went back after the season and re-ranked this recruiting class, I would have him in the top 20-30. He is smart, he plays hard, and he is calmer than any freshman I have seen in a while. His future is very bright, that is for sure.

 

[Amberlycolonel]

If this young man bucks the trend and improves under the program, he will be a force in a year or so. Bring in Strickland next year and the sky will be the limit. Just fearful that this is the best we are going to see out of him. Too many examples to reinforce that fear. Still, can be hopeful.

 

[bearcat jeff]

Disagree that players haven't improved but back to Caupain. Some injuries kept him from playing a lot of AAU his last year. This doesn't surprise me and it will get even better.

 

[Amberlycolonel]

I cannot wait to see him, Strickland, and Lawrence on the court together. To me, that will be when the excitement could start.

 

[waterhead]

If this young man bucks the trend and improves under the program, he will be a force in a year or so. Bring in Strickland next year and the sky will be the limit. Just fearful that this is the best we are going to see out of him. Too many examples to reinforce that fear. Still, can be hopeful.

Is JJ on that list of players not to buck the trend? If he is...there is some serious re-evaluation in order. I don't care if you think it was coach or player that made the transformation...but I can guarantee you coach had at least a little do with it.

 

[waterhead]

We have had JJ, SK, ST, and TR at the very least come into the season with improved physical bodies, athletecism, leadership, and focus. We can attribute that to players (and I give them credit) or we can attribute some of that to our coach for inspiring them to put in the work and letting them know we are counting on you. I call that coaching a player up.

 

[waterhead]

I should have mentioned GG and JS because they both did some serious work on their bodies. GG has the highest vertical on the team and JS has leaned down big time.

It would be extremely rare to see so many players make these transformations without a coach who was asking/requiring it.

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

I think Chad mentioned that the major recruiting analysts like Telep and Meyer of ESPN and 247 respectively never actually saw him play at any AAU tournaments...therefore he wasn't ranked in the top 150 by any of their services. What a great find by Larry Davis and the staff did a great job at pegging him as a PG when people thought he was a combo guard. The kid is special.

Gary Clarke has a chance to be the Troy of the '14 class...

 

[waterhead]

I think Chad mentioned that the major recruiting analysts like Telep and Meyer of ESPN and 247 respectively never actually saw him play at any AAU tournaments...therefore he wasn't ranked in the top 150 by any of their services. What a great find by Larry Davis and the staff did a great job at pegging him as a PG when people thought he was a combo guard. The kid is special.

Gary Clarke has a chance to be the Troy of the '14 class...

Hearing about Gary Clark recently makes it hard to stay rational as a fan without getting too optimistic. I like Koolaid...but I don't want to be THAT guy.

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

Hearing about Gary Clark recently makes it hard to stay rational as a fan without getting too optimistic. I like Koolaid...but I don't want to be THAT guy.

I also temper my expectations for freshman, but Clark seems to have that "it" gene like Troy. Give him a few years and he will be a very good player.

 

[Chad Brendel]

Disagree that players haven't improved but back to Caupain. Some injuries kept him from playing a lot of AAU his last year. This doesn't surprise me and it will get even better.

Funny thing is he wasn't hurt much that AAU season, but it seemed like every time one of the national guys was set to see him he was dealing with an ankle sprain that kept coming back in the wrong spots. I saw him healthy a bunch, but he, KJ and Lawrence were at the top of my list of guys to track so I was there every time he was on my schedule. Unfortunately it is hard to get ranked when you aren't seen...

 

[Chad Brendel]

I think Chad mentioned that the major recruiting analysts like Telep and Meyer of ESPN and 247 respectively never actually saw him play at any AAU tournaments...therefore he wasn't ranked in the top 150 by any of their services. What a great find by Larry Davis and the staff did a great job at pegging him as a PG when people thought he was a combo guard. The kid is special.

Gary Clarke has a chance to be the Troy of the '14 class...

Telep did see him once at an event in Texas, but it was the game after he sprained his ankle the first time and he struggled to fight through it. Talked to Dave the next week and he said he could see some potential, but knew it was a bad scout because of the injury. Really hate that Telep is not on the beat any more. He was by far the best in the business...

 

[Nomadic1]

With all of the social media, recruiting websites, etc., it is very hard for recruits to fall through the cracks now. Yet, some still do. I would argue that SO FAR, Troy Caupain has been the biggest steal out of the 2013 class in all of college basketball. If they went back after the season and re-ranked this recruiting class, I would have him in the top 20-30. He is smart, he plays hard, and he is calmer than any freshman I have seen in a while. His future is very bright, that is for sure.

I don't think his play thus far has justified calling him that. I think he could be a great point guard but he's not taking over games or putting up double digits while dropping 4-5 dimes on a consistent basis. I think we forget there are 5 star guards who really do that stuff. Mostly, because they don't come here.

I'm glad he's here but let's not go crazy... just yet.

 

[JumpinJack5]

I don't think his play thus far has justified calling him that. I think he could be a great point guard but he's not taking over games or putting up double digits while dropping 4-5 dimes on a consistent basis. I think we forget there are 5 star guards who really do that stuff. Mostly, because they don't come here.

I'm glad he's here but let's not go crazy... just yet.

My point was that he was underrated, not that he was a 5 star guard. He has played like a 4 star and he definitely deserved to be ranked much higher than he was. I think that he would have a massive jump in the recruiting rankings if they were to do it over again after the season. I think that so far, considering the position that he plays and the difficulty involved with playing it, he has been the biggest steal in this class. If he continues to grow, I could see him in the running for AAC frosh of the year.

 

[Jarad_Hunter]

Keep in mind he is splitting time. If you run his numbers against Ennis or Harrison, adjusted for minutes played, he compares favorably. Here's the data adjusted to 32.5 minutes (which is what Ennis is averaging):

Tyler Ennis
11.6 points
5.5 assists
3.3 rebounds
2.7 steals
1.2 turnovers
41.7% FGP
38.5% 3PP
73.6% FTP

Troy Caupain
11.1 points
3.8 assists
4.6 rebounds
2.0 steals
2.1 turnovers
42.9% FGP
44.0% 3PP
79.5% FT

Andrew Harrison
12.5 points
3.8 assists
2.8 rebounds
0.3 steals
2.8 turnovers
39.1% FGP
32.1% 3PP
71.1% FTP

 

[Robert]

One of the great things about Caupain compared to the 5-star guys is that he might actually stick around for 4 years.

 

[waterhead]

Keep in mind he is splitting time. If you run his numbers against Ennis or Harrison, adjusted for minutes played, he compares favorably. Here's the data adjusted to 32.5 minutes (which is what Ennis is averaging):

Tyler Ennis
11.6 points
5.5 assists
3.3 rebounds
2.7 steals
1.2 turnovers
41.7% FGP
38.5% 3PP
73.6% FTP

Troy Caupain
11.1 points
3.8 assists
4.6 rebounds
2.0 steals
2.1 turnovers
42.9% FGP
44.0% 3PP
79.5% FT

Andrew Harrison
12.5 points
3.8 assists
2.8 rebounds
0.3 steals
2.8 turnovers
39.1% FGP
32.1% 3PP
71.1% FTP

That's a great way to break down stats. I love it when stats are put into perspective like this. Here is a question for everyone (because I have no idea)...where would you rank Caupain among the best freshman PG's in the country?

 

[CaptDale]

That's a great way to break down stats. I love it when stats are put into perspective like this. Here is a question for everyone (because I have no idea)...where would you rank Caupain among the best freshman PG's in the country?

Let's not get ahead of ourselves, Waterhead. He's coming along at a rapid pace, but let's get a few more important games under our belts before we make him the second coming. But, that being siad, I do like you enthusiasm. You are #1 on the list in that category. Maybe a 5 star

 

[Nomadic1]

Keep in mind he is splitting time. If you run his numbers against Ennis or Harrison, adjusted for minutes played, he compares favorably. Here's the data adjusted to 32.5 minutes (which is what Ennis is averaging):

Tyler Ennis
11.6 points
5.5 assists
3.3 rebounds
2.7 steals
1.2 turnovers
41.7% FGP
38.5% 3PP
73.6% FTP

Troy Caupain
11.1 points
3.8 assists
4.6 rebounds
2.0 steals
2.1 turnovers
42.9% FGP
44.0% 3PP
79.5% FT

Andrew Harrison
12.5 points
3.8 assists
2.8 rebounds
0.3 steals
2.8 turnovers
39.1% FGP
32.1% 3PP
71.1% FTP

I don't buy that argument. That assumes that he'll continue playing consistently whether he plays 10 minutes or 40 and people aren't fixed commodities like that. As you play, there's mental and physical strain. Not to mention the competition levels/schedule difficulties are different. And who's to say, that asking the others compared to him to shoulder a smaller role wouldn't improve their field goal% turnovers margin etc. ? And what of those things that don't show up on the stat sheet? That's just too open to take seriously imo.

As far as comparing him to Harrison, Caupain isn't 6'6. I think that comparison is rubbish tbh.

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

Just relax. He didn't have to play 30+ minutes from the start, let him grow into his role. I am excited for the next 3+ years...