Sean Kilpatrick's game benefits from Team USA invite
Guard gets to work out against top competition
Jun. 4, 2013


Sean Kilpatrick was one of 29 players invited to try out to play with Team USA in the World University Games. / Enquirer file photo

Written by
Bill Koch

When University of Cincinnati coach Mick Cronin told Sean Kilpatrick he had been invited to try out for Team USA’s entry in the World University Games, Kilpatrick didn’t fully comprehend the process.

Then he was told that if he makes the team he’ll compete in Kazan, Russia.

“I thought it was just going to be a camp until Coach said the guys will be playing in Russia,” Kilpatrick said. “I was like, Russia? The only time we’ve been out of the United States is Canada and you can’t even count that. I’m really excited about it.”

Kilpatrick is one of 29 players chosen for the tryouts, which will be June 24-30 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. Finalists are expected to be announced June 27 or 28, and the 12-member team will depart for Russia on July 1.

Aside from the opportunity to represent his country in international competition, Kilpatrick is viewing this as a chance to improve his game as he prepares for his senior year at UC.

A second-team all-Big East selection last season as a junior, Kilpatrick ranked fifth in the league with a 17-point average and was fourth in 3-pointers per game at 2.41, but he shot only 30.7 percent from 3-point range.

“Really the most important thing I need help on is just my left hand,” Kilpatrick said. “Every day I’ve been in the gym working on my left hand and trying to do quicker moves to get my shot off a lot faster because I know the type of defense I’m going to have to face this year.”

Kilpatrick, a 23-year-old fifth-year senior, will be UC’s undisputed leader this season and has already been named the team captain. His leadership skills will be important on a team that will feature five freshmen, including highly touted power forward Jermaine Lawrence.

“The freshmen have got to come through,” said associate head coach Larry Davis.

Davis said that if at least three of the five play as well as the UC coaching staff believes they can, the Bearcats could surprise some people. Besides Lawrence, the key to the freshman class might be Troy Caupain, who will challenge for the starting point guard position.

“Relying on a freshman point guard, you never know, but he has a great demeanor,” Davis said. “I don’t think he’s going to succumb to the pressure. He can really score.”

Kevin Johnson, a point guard from Summit Country day, and Jamaree Strickland, a 6-foot-9, 245-pound post player from Oakland, already are on campus working out. The other three freshmen are expected to arrive this month. Kilpatrick plans to be in their ear.

“I say this every year to the guys that are coming in because we know this is a new process for them,” Kilpatrick said. “If you’re not going to come with your hard hat I don’t know what to say to you because not only are you going to hear from me, but you’re really going to hear it from Coach Cronin. He expects nothing but to give your best effort and really go out there and play hard.”

But first Kilpatrick wants to make sure he makes the most of his time in Colorado Springs, hoping to become the third UC player to make Team USA in the World University Games, joining Eric Hicks and Kenyon Martin. Yancy Gates tried out for the team two years ago but didn’t make it.

“I asked (Gates) about it already,” Kilpatrick said. “He said for the first two days it’s going to be hard due to the fact that it’s hard to breathe up there. He said it’s a lot of conditioning and a lot of running.

“For some reason, whenever I go against the best competition, I play the best,” Kilpatrick continued. “I don’t know why. You’re playing against 30 of the top players in the country. You don’t get to do that on an everyday basis. If I’m able to do that for a whole week, I can’t imagine what’s going to happen when I come back here.”

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20130...ick-s-game