UC's Cronin has high expectations for Caupain
Bill Koch, bkoch@enquirer.com 5:19 p.m. EST November 22, 2014


Cincinnati Bearcats head coach Mick Cronin talks with guard Troy Caupain during a stop in play in the first half.(Photo: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports)

Almost without fail, whenever University of Cincinnati coach Mick Cronin talks about sophomore guard Troy Caupain he mentions Caupain's tender age.

Even with one year of experience under his belt, Caupain won't turn 19 until Nov. 29, which makes him the youngest player on the UC roster for the second straight year, younger even than the Bearcats' two true freshmen, Gary Clark and Quadri Moore.

But Caupain says his age means nothing to him.

"That shouldn't dictate who you are, or how you play or what you can do," Caupain said. "I am 18 years old but I feel like I'm one of the older guys on this team. Seven people haven't played here yet and I have played here, still being the youngest one. I feel like I have a little more experience than the seven guys who are here. They're not going to know what to do and I know what it takes to win."

Those words are music to Cronin's ears, but the UC coach says Caupain hasn't yet fully grasped the leadership role.

Cronin has piled a lot of responsibility on his new starting point guard. He wants him to score, create scoring opportunities for others, play solid defense and provide leadership. That's a demanding list for anyone, let alone a young sophomore.

"I have to coach him really hard because I have high expectations for him," Cronin said.

"Troy is a very cerebral guy. He's so young that that affects him from having the mindset that I need him to have, dominating the game, looking to make plays at all times, being a confident guy that really believes in himself.

"I'm trying to get him to be more offensive-minded, be more of a playmaker, whether it's putting the ball in the basket or creating the assist. He's got the talent to do it. It's a maturity thing with him."

UC (2-0) plays Eastern Illinois (1-2) at 5 p.m. Sunday at Fifth Third Arena in the first of four games the Bearcats will play in the Emerald Coast Classic that concludes next weekend with two games in Niceville, Fla.

The 6-foot-4 Caupain, from Midlothian, Va., is coming off an outstanding game in which he scored 13 points with six assists, five rebounds and just one turnover in 31 minutes against Morehead State. In two games, he has averaged 10.5 points and 5.0 assists while committing four turnovers. If he can continue to put up those kinds of numbers, it will be good news for a UC team that has had to reinvent itself after the departure of All-American Sean Kilpatrick, Justin Jackson and Titus Rubles.

Perhaps the most outgoing player on the team, Caupain is eager to meet Cronin's expectations.

"I just feel like I've always had that tact to lead a team or command people where to go without being rude," Caupain said. "We all get angry real quick when something doesn't go right. People get tensed up and don't worry about the next play. That's all you've got to do is worry about the next play. I was born and raised like that. I just want to help people do that."

Caupain understands that some of the newcomers might still be feeling their way at this early juncture in the season. He did the same thing last year. But he said it's important for the rookies to acclimate themselves as quickly as possible if the Bearcats are going to make a run at a second straight American Athletic Conference championship and a fifth straight NCAA Tournament appearance

"This is my sophomore year," Caupain said. "I don't have no more of being a baby. I've got a year under my belt. I'm ready to go. You can't be scared the rest of your life. You have one time to be scared when you first get here and that's only for the first couple of games."

UC has had its ups and downs in its first two games, but Caupain says the Bearcats will be just fine even without the three stalwarts from last year.

"We still know how to play basketball and get the job done," Caupain said. "Their time here was great but now it's time to worry about what we've got do now to still win and to continue on the legacy that those three left. They're not coming back to help us so we're trying to maintain. We're trying to continue what they did and do better than what they did."

Quote:UC vs. Eastern Illinois

Time: 5 p.m. Fifth Third Arena

Records: UC (2-0), Eastern Illinois (1-2)

TV: FOX Sports Ohio/ESPN3

Radio: 550 WKRC-AM

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/c.../19411895/