Troy Caupain: An Appreciation

The Career Numbers

• 1,317 points (9.6 per game)
• 494 rebounds (3.6 per game)
• 514 assists (3.8 per game)
• 152 Steals (1.1 per game)
• .397/.338/.762 shooting splits

It is certainly very hard to see a guy like Troy Caupain leave the Cincinnati Bearcats program after four great years. Since day one he was a huge part of this team’s success and from his sophomore to senior years, the guy was playing his butt off for 30 minutes or so every single time the Bearcats stepped on the hardwood. There are not as many times you can talk about longevity in college basketball anymore with so many guys leaving after one or two years so seeing four-years seniors like Caupain, who put in the minutes, is that much more special.

From the beginning Caupain would prove to be a floor general with his court vision and passing abilities. I really can’t stress how much of an impact his feel for the game made this team better and because of his instincts with the ball, he became the all time leader in assists at the University of Cincinnati with 514. (*applasuse*). And what may be even more impressive is his efficiency in the passing game which earned him the No. 5 spot nationally with his 3.36-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio this past season. Caupain, in every sense of the position, was a true point guard. He could make plays himself when necessary but his true skill came from getting other guys the rock at the right times and running the offense. Let’s not to leave out the scoring aspect of his game, though, as he is part of the 1,000 point club at UC with a total of 1317.

Since he played for Mick Cronin, its also important to note his defensive success. A constant threat to opposing backcourts, Caupain averaged 1.1 steals per game during his career and finished with a 96.2 defensive rating. He never recorded a rating above 100 and actually had as many defensive win shares (7.9) as offensive (7.9).

Caupain will definitely be remembered as a guy who brought it day in and day out, everywhere on the court.

Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Best of the Best

Thursday Jan. 29, 2015 vs. UConn

In his second year, Caupain had his first 20-point performance against a big conference rival. He also added four rebounds and two blocks.

Tuesday Dec. 22, 2015 vs. No. 11 Iowa State

In a heartbreaking loss to the Cyclones on a last second play, Caupain proved he could hang with a ranked team and put up 18 points with five rebounds and four assists.

Thursday Jan. 21, 2016 vs. Memphis

In a hard fought win against the Tigers, Caupain blew up for 25 points and four assists.

Thursday Feb. 4 vs. USF

Caupain was the maestro of a perfectly humming basketball symphony, as the Bearcats rolled to an 88-57 victory behind 18 points and 10 dimes from their point guard.

Saturday Feb. 27, 2016 at East Carolina

In a game where his three-point ball was working wonders, Caupain finished with 27 points and four assists. He shot 4-of-7 from long range.

Friday March 11, 2016

In one of the most gut wrenching finishes I can remember watching live, Caupain poured his heart into a four overtime loss against the Huskies and scored 37 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and added five assists.

Saturday Dec. 10, 2016 at No. 16 Butler

In a ranked battle with Butler, Caupain came away with 22 points and five rebounds.

Wednesday Jan. 18, 2017 vs. Temple

Caupain would show up everywhere in the stat sheet on this night with 18 points, nine rebounds and seven assists.

Saturday Feb. 18. 2017 vs. Tulsa

It was a charitable day for Caupain, who dished eight assists to go with 11 points.

Thursday Feb. 23, 2017 vs. Memphis

Once again, Caupain directed traffic to perfection, tallying seven assists to go with 12 points and three assists.

Friday March 17, 2017 vs. Kansas State

In the first round of the NCAA Tournament, Caupain was unstoppable, hitting 7-of-10 shots from the floor and 7-of-7 at the foul line to finish with 23 points in a 75-61 first round victory.

A Final Goodbye

It is definitely hard to part ways with a guy like Caupain. He has been part of four very good UC teams and has helped the Bearcats reach March Madness every year he was here. Although they never made a deep run, the Bearcats are one of few teams that can say they have been there so often recently. A floor general like Caupain does not come around very often in college basketball, so I am certain that Bearcat nation will remember him forever.

Editor’s note: Goodbye, Troy. Thanks for four great years. *snifffle* I’m not crying. You’re crying.