Troy Caupain

[waterhead]

I realize this is going to get dissected in many different directions but I think it's significant to know why Troy means so much to this team. This is not an argument about whether he should be a PG or SG. That being said here is what happened last year in games within 10 points or less vs 11 points or more.

11>...Troy scored 9.5 PPG or 11.5% of our team's points. Single digits in 10 of 14 games.

10<...Troy scored 15.5 PPG or 23% of our team's points. Double digits in 16 of 19 games.


I did not breakdown any other stat line for those games. However, it is clear to me that Troy likes to get other players involved when he can. He is more than happy and capable of shouldering the load when the options are fewer. IE...who wants the ball in their hands in big games when it's tight and the clock is running down.

Most players pad their stats in the games that don't matter. Troy does the opposite. There is not much doubt in my mind the kid could have come close to averaging 20 PPG in the easy games if he wanted to be a ball hog.

 

[UCBearcats]

As I've said before and will say again Troy is our best player. The only thing in my mind holding him back is that he is far too passive.

Troy needs to be more aggressive, he needs to push the ball to the rim and he needs to (at times) be a more selfish player.

If he does all those things consistently this season I think he'll go from being a really good player in UC history to being one of the greats in terms of career success.

 

[Bearcat513]

I said this with SK, and he eventually did, but I want Troy to drive to the basket more than he shoots 3s or his signature long 2. Troy has shown he's capable of dribble penetration because he's done it late in games when we need it. But, he does not do it enough. The options after dribble penetration are endless. Drive, shoot, score. Drive, kick out, open shot. Drive, foul, make foul shots.

I don't think UC has used this tactic enough over the past couple of seasons since SK left. Maybe we didn't have the right personnel, idk I am not a basketball coach. But, Troy has shown that he can do it and this season I want him doing it more than he ever has.

 

[BearcatSpaniard513]

As I've said before and will say again Troy is our best player. The only thing in my mind holding him back is that he is far too passive.

Troy needs to be more aggressive, he needs to push the ball to the rim and he needs to (at times) be a more selfish player.

If he does all those things consistently this season I think he'll go from being a really good player in UC history to being one of the greats in terms of career success.

Thanks for looking that up! Very interesting stat that ESPN or CBS Sports might steal from you lol. I am a big Caupain fan and would love to see him take that next step this year.

 

[waterhead]

Thanks for looking that up! Very interesting stat that ESPN or CBS Sports might steal from you lol. I am a big Caupain fan and would love to see him take that next step this year.

Based on the stats I think he took that step last year and was recognized for it as all conference and pre season conference POY. I was trying to figure out why exactly when some of our fans think he is so-so. He's a big game player. If we had 5 of him we would win a national title. Hell..if we had 3 guys that got better when they play in big games we could win a national title.

Big players play big in big games. Now I realize Troy could probably improve some of his stats in big games...assists, steals, rebounds, etc. But if we could get Clark and Evans to have a similar trend we could go very far in March. I think they have that potential...and we saw some good things out of the supporting cast in exhibition.

The coach also has to perform as a prime time player in big games. I'm not suggesting all of this will happen...but I think it's about time.

 

[jacobkdoyle]

Caupain needs to shoot the ball better. Pretty simple. In theory, he should have better chances at efficiency if he's going to play off the ball. And hopefully he doesn't take almost 100 more shots than anyone else on the team either. That's not good for anyone.

If we had 5 of him we would win the National Title? Lol. Whoa. Slow down. I know people love them some Caupain around here, but damn. Let's just try winning a Conference and NCAA Tournament game in the same year for the first time in Caupain's career first!

 

[waterhead]

Caupain needs to shoot the ball better. Pretty simple. In theory, he should have better chances at efficiency if he's going to play off the ball. And hopefully he doesn't take almost 100 more shots than anyone else on the team either. That's not good for anyone.

If we had 5 of him we would win the National Title? Lol. Whoa. Slow down. I know people love them some Caupain around here, but damn. Let's just try winning a Conference and NCAA Tournament game in the same year for the first time in Caupain's career first!

I'm all for Troy having a better year but the comment of having 5 of him is obviously hypothetical. If you don't think having 5 all conference players could potentially lead us to a national title...we might be on completely different pages as to what we might need to get the job done...lol!

 

[jacobkdoyle]

I'm all for Troy having a better year but the comment of having 5 of him is obviously hypothetical. If you don't think having 5 all conference players could potentially lead us to a national title...we might be on completely different pages as to what we might need to get the job done...lol!

Ha yeah I get that it's hypothetical. Just seems outrageous to even debate something like that. I shouldn't have said anything.

 

[waterhead]

Ha yeah I get that it's hypothetical. Just seems outrageous to even debate something like that. I shouldn't have said anything.

I think you may have missed the point but that's okay. I don't think we are going to have 5 players perform like Troy in big games. I wish we would though.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

I'll settle for everyone knowing their role and doing their job. I also think defining those roles will take time. It starts against Brown.

 

[jacobkdoyle]

I think you may have missed the point but that's okay. I don't think we are going to have 5 players perform like Troy in big games. I wish we would though.

I get the point.

Evans played well in big games when Shaq Thomas wasn't in his way with automatic minutes. Now that Clark is an upperclassman, I'd expect him to show up as well.

 

[waterhead]

I get the point.

Evans played well in big games when Shaq Thomas wasn't in his way with automatic minutes. Now that Clark is an upperclassman, I'd expect him to show up as well.

I'm with you on both of those. They are the two guys I am hoping for too. And then one unknown...lol!

 

[jacobkdoyle]

I'm with you on both of those. They are the two guys I am hoping for too. And then one unknown...lol!

I hope the unknown is Cumberland. Having him ready to help us win by year end is extremely important imo. Shot makers and drivers in March are key.

 

[waterhead]

I hope the unknown is Cumberland. Having him ready to help us win by year end is extremely important imo. Shot makers and drivers in March are key.

I saw more in Cumberland than I think most others saw. I think he's a gamer!! Yes he's a frosh...but he seemed comfortable out there.

 

[AZ BEARCAT]

I saw more in Cumberland than I think most others saw. I think he's a gamer!! Yes he's a frosh...but he seemed comfortable out there.

Good to here

 

[waterhead]

I realize this is going to get dissected in many different directions but I think it's significant to know why Troy means so much to this team. This is not an argument about whether he should be a PG or SG. That being said here is what happened last year in games within 10 points or less vs 11 points or more.

11>...Troy scored 9.5 PPG or 11.5% of our team's points. Single digits in 10 of 14 games.

10<...Troy scored 15.5 PPG or 23% of our team's points. Double digits in 16 of 19 games.


I did not breakdown any other stat line for those games. However, it is clear to me that Troy likes to get other players involved when he can. He is more than happy and capable of shouldering the load when the options are fewer. IE...who wants the ball in their hands in big games when it's tight and the clock is running down.

Most players pad their stats in the games that don't matter. Troy does the opposite. There is not much doubt in my mind the kid could have come close to averaging 20 PPG in the easy games if he wanted to be a ball hog.

Some fans seem to think Troy needs to do more to get this team over the top and win the close games. Get the team further into March etc. What the stats tell me is that the rest of the team needs to step up and match his output in big games.

We need guys that would rather have the ball than give it back to troy when the game is on the line.

 

[jacobkdoyle]

Some fans seem to think Troy needs to do more to get this team over the top and win the close games. Get the team further into March etc. What the stats tell me is that the rest of the team needs to step up and match his output in big games.

We need guys that would rather have the ball than give it back to troy when the game is on the line.

Cronin basically only let Caupain have the ball late in games last year. Wasn't much to be done by anyone else. The play pretty much everytime was for Caupain to get all the way to the hoop and get swatted among the trees.

 

[UCBearcats]

Imagine how much better Troy's stats could be if he found a way to get to the free throw line more often.

Troy, like everyone on our team, has a propensity to stand around. I put Troy's failures to be the player everyone wants him to be squarely on Mick's inability to coach offensive basketball. There's no doubt in my mind Troy is a very talented basketball player and in another system he would be a star.

Troy is passive but only because that's how coach wants it.

 

[JasonS]

Imagine how much better Troy's stats could be if he found a way to get to the free throw line more often.

Troy, like everyone on our team, has a propensity to stand around. I put Troy's failures to be the player everyone wants him to be squarely on Mick's inability to coach offensive basketball. There's no doubt in my mind Troy is a very talented basketball player and in another system he would be a star.

Troy is passive but only because that's how coach wants it.

Please explain to me what your expectation of Caupain is because I think you are way off-base here. The kid was an all-conference player last year and is the preseason pick to be conference player of the year. What more do you want from him? If you are so pessimistic as a fan, I am so glad I'm not stuck watching games with you. It would suck all the fun out of it.

 

[waterhead]

Please explain to me what your expectation of Caupain is because I think you are way off-base here. The kid was an all-conference player last year and is the preseason pick to be conference player of the year. What more do you want from him? If you are so pessimistic as a fan, I am so glad I'm not stuck watching games with you. It would suck all the fun out of it.

One person says he's too passive... needs to get to the line more. The other one says...the only play we run in close games is to give him the ball and let him take it to the hoop (the place most likely to draw a foul).

Damned if you do damned if you don't.