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Welcome to “That’s A Wrap,” our player-by-player recap of the 2023-24 Indiana Hoosiers. First up: Gabe Cupps.
Cupps (33 video games): 2.6 factors, 1.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 36.4 FG% in 21.7 minutes per recreation.
Accidents to Xavier Johnson thrust Gabe Cupps right into a extra important function than anticipated in his debut season within the cream and crimson.
A 6-foot-2 guard from Centerville, Ohio, Cupps began 22 video games as a freshman as a result of sixth-year level guard Xavier Johnson was out and in of the lineup with varied accidents.
The 2022 Ohio Mr. Basketball, Cupps made his first begin towards Maryland on Dec. 1, a 65-53 IU victory at Simon Skjodt Meeting Corridor. He went scoreless with an help in 24 minutes.
Cupps scored in double figures for the primary and solely time in a 104-76 blowout loss towards Auburn in Atlanta on Dec. 9. Cupps scored 11 factors towards the Tigers, connecting on two of his three makes an attempt from past the 3-point line.
Whereas level guard is Cupps’s main place, he hardly ever performed the function of lead distributor in his first season. When Johnson was out of the lineup, Mike Woodson opted to place the ball within the arms of Trey Galloway, a extra skilled playmaker able to making performs for himself or his teammates.
Cupps began the ultimate 12 video games for Indiana, however his statistical profile was extraordinarily restricted in his debut season. Over the ultimate 12 video games, he totaled 27 factors and 11 assists.
From a taking pictures standpoint, Cupps went 14-for-39 (35.9 %) on 3s total and 7-for-22 (31.8 %) in convention play.
His shot weight loss program on 2s consisted of a good quantity of soar pictures within the midrange, the place he related at a 31.4 % charge, according to hoop-math.com. Whereas his launch appeared clear, Cupps usually light to 1 aspect when he shot the ball.
When Cupps was in a position to get his toes set and have slightly time on the perimeter, he appeared the a part of a participant with the shot to develop right into a dependable menace.
Defensively, Cupps by no means backed down from a problem, even when he was overmatched at occasions towards the Large Ten’s greatest level guards. The expertise gained from going towards gamers like Boo Buie, Jahmir Younger and Braden Smith ought to solely assist him know the place he wants to enhance shifting ahead.
Cupps additionally must grow to be extra comfy as a distributor. He completed the season with 41 assists in 33 video games in comparison with 27 turnovers (1.51-to-1 ratio).
One factor that was by no means questioned about Cupps was his competitiveness and work ethic. It’s no secret that Cupps was at all times within the health club attempting to good his recreation and get higher and the hope shifting ahead is that his mindset can rub off throughout the locker room as he prepares for his second season in Bloomington.
Backside line: Indiana is working to deal with its guard depth by way of the switch portal and the expectation is Cupps will play a reserve function in Bloomington subsequent winter. He nonetheless tasks as a useful contributor in the long run, however he must grow to be extra assured as a playmaker and a shooter. He usually appeared tentative to shoot in his first season however his 35.9 % mark from distance is one thing to construct upon for the longer term.
Quotable: “Little doubt he’s going to play high quality minutes. He’s confirmed that. That’s the rationale why we recruited him. He simply does all of the little issues that you simply’re purported to do. Now, he’s going to have his ups and downs primarily based on matchups and issues of that nature, however he’s a troublesome competitor. Generally toughness will get you thru it. So I’m more than happy along with his progress and hope that he simply continues to develop and study the faculty recreation as a result of he’s obtained an extended option to go.” – Woodson on Cupps on Nov. 6, 2023 previous to the season opener towards Florida Gulf Coast.
Filed to: Gabe Cupps
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