Senior Troy Cage made an error on consecutive defensive plays before University of Tennessee at Chattanooga coach John Shulman interjected some levity into Monday afternoon’s basketball practice.
The coach turned to the Mocs Club members who lined the Chattem Practice Facility and asked, “Does anybody want to adopt a nice, young, good-looking kid from Louisiana?
“He’s a great kid, but right now, if he keeps playing defense like that, he may be teamless by the end of the day.”
Cage smiled, a little embarrassed, then smacked Shulman on his rear to let the coach know that he received the message.
Cage’s uplifting attitude, his perseverance through three surgeries and his general leadership skills helped him earn one of five captain positions on the 2010-11 team.
“It’s just saying that I’m a mature enough guy to know what needs to be done,” Cage said. “I have to do what’s right at all times. I have other captains that can help me.”
Cage, fifth-year senior Jeff Smith and Georgetown transfer Omar Wattad are first-time captains. They join two repeat captains, junior point guard Keegan Bell and junior shooting guard Ricky Taylor.
“I have to keep on taking steps up,” Taylor said. “I have to set a positive example on how we do work here. We have a lot of captains and I think that’s a good thing, because we have strength in leadership.”
Not all five captains will shake hands with officials and captains from the opposing team each game.
“That’s just for show,” Shulman said. “Their responsibility is having the pulse of the team. Letting me know when we need a day off, when we need to get tough, and I respect their opinion and I want to hear from them.
“They’re in charge. I’m not the leader. I coach the team. They’re the leaders.”
The players and coaching staff selected Smith for his perseverance as well. As a UTC graduate, he could have given up basketball and started a career. They selected Wattad for his presence – it’s impossible not to hear or see him on every play.
“Last year, when I was redshirting, I was part of the team but couldn’t put my two cents in,” Wattad said. “This year, if I see something I need to say, I’m not going to hold my tongue. If I see a little something, tidbits here or there, then I’m going to say something and help my team.”
Bell and Taylor were leaders last behind Ty Patterson, who was the only senior but lacked natural leadership skills.
“To hold the ship afloat with everything that went on last year was pretty good, and it was tough to be a leader last year because we had some strong-willed guys,” Shulman said. “They were thrust in that role last year, and there is a different comfort level with them this year.”