UC leader Caupain welcomes new backup

Troy Caupain would never say it, but his coach certainly noticed it.

Caupain had a quietly superb 2014-15 season as the University of Cincinnati basketball point guard, but the most indispensable Bearcat fought through fatigue toward the end of the season.

"We threw a lot on his shoulders last year, and he did a great job of handling it," UC coach Mick Cronin said. "I know how hard it is for one guy to have to shoulder the responsibility of being the primary ballhandler for the entire season. It wore him down."

Caupain, now a junior, led UC last season with 31.3 minutes per game. That was partially because Caupain often was the sole reliable option to bring the ball upcourt.

UC, Cronin welcome high expectations

Veteran point guard Ge'Lawn Guyn was to have held that role but he suffered a finger injury, played in only two games, then transferred to East Tennessee State after the season.

Caupain seized the reins and finished second on UC with a 9.6 scoring average. He tailed off down the stretch, averaging 6.9 points per game over the final seven regular season games.

Caupain did find another gear in postseason, when he averaged 11.7 points. That included a team-high 13 points when UC lost 64-51 to Kentucky in the NCAA Round of 32. The Bearcats finished 23-11, with their fifth consecutive NCAA tournament appearance.

As a freshman in 2013-14, Caupain did not start a game and averaged 5.4 points. As a sophomore Caupain started all but one game and improved in nearly every statistical category, including field goal percentage (44.4 percent, up from 38), 3-point percentage (40.8, up from 32.8) and free throw percentage (78.8, up from 78.4).

Caupain plays with a poise beyond his years but can erupt in celebration when warranted. Check the video and photos from UC's opening NCAA tournament game against Purdue last season, when Caupain's buzzer-beating layup forced overtime in an eventual 66-65 Bearcats win.

"My confidence at playing guard, it being my third year, it's like I should be the guy now," Caupain said. "As upperclassmen we should be the guys that the young guys look up to. I want to help the younger guys now."

Cronin believes that the 6-foot-4, 205-pound Caupain can be even more productive offensively, with freshman Justin Jenifer arriving in the backcourt. The 5-foot-10, 175-pound Jenifer, a left-hander from Baltimore, will be the backup point guard UC lacked last season.

"Having Justin will allow Troy to get more rest and allow him to play off the ball some," Cronin said. "I think it's just going to make Troy even more effective."

Caupain already is one of Jenifer's biggest boosters.

"He's a smart player, good with the ball," Caupain said. "Very crafty, quick off the dribble. He'll be there to create."

Caupain will still be creating himself, but Cronin said the two-headed point guard should be a boon to the program. Cronin cited the example of Deonta Vaughn, who finished in 2010 as UC's No. 3 career scorer (now No. 4) despite often having to play point guard.

"I saw it wear Deonta Vaughn out," Cronin said. "He had to do it way too much in his career. It's just too much. We've gotten Troy some help with Justin Jenifer, and that's going to help a lot."

GETTING CLOSER: UC officially began practice last week. The Bearcats will play exhibition games against Grand Valley State (Nov. 3) and Bellarmine (Nov. 7), both at Fifth Third Arena.

UC opens the regular season against Western Carolina on Friday, Nov. 13 (7 p.m.) at Fifth Third Arena.

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Troy Caupain file

Position: Point guard

Height: 6-4

Weight: 205

Class: Junior

Hometown: Midlothian, Va. (Cosby HS)

2014-15 season: Second on UC in scoring (9.6 ppg) … Led team in assists (3.6 apg) and minutes (31.3 mpg) … Honorable mention All-American Athletic Conference.

Did you know: Caupain once scored 48 points in a high school game. He is his school's career leader in rebounds and assists and ranks second in points.