Patrick Patterson is the leader of the UK men’s basketball team. But recently, he hasn’t been the player UK fans have grown accustomed to.
Patrick Patterson and DeAndre Liggins guard Devan Downey during the first half of their first loss of the season,68-62, to the Gamecocks at Colonial Life Arena on Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2010. Photo by Britney McIntosh | Staff
Patterson has scored zero points in the second half in each of UK’s last three games, and has only taken four shots in the three second halves combined. His overall points per game average has dipped down to a career low as well.
“Patrick Patterson is a great ball player and a great kid,†said UK great Kenny Walker. “I love his work ethic, he brings his hard hat every night … with the exception of the last three games he’s been awesome.â€
Many explanations can be given to the reason for Patterson’s lower numbers. For one, he has never played with so many other talented players. He is playing fewer minutes per game this season than he has in either of his previous two seasons. Patterson is also playing as a true power forward in the 2009-10 season rather than being relied on as more of a center as he was in the past.
Against South Carolina on Tuesday night, Patterson took only four shots the entire game. The Cats lost to the unranked Gamecocks by six, and UK head coach John Calipari said he would hope for more production from Patterson, but his play wasn’t the reason for UK’s loss.
“We had our chances to win the game, even with him playing that way,†Calipari said. “And so there are games he’s going to do that and we’re not going to be good enough to win.â€
Patterson, who many projected to be a first-round draft pick in last year’s NBA Draft, came back for his junior season to earn his degree in three years and to improve his face-up game under Calipari’s tutelage.
Patterson showed his improvements early in the season by facing up to the basket more instead of playing with his back to it.
The result was a thing of beauty to start the season, as Patterson hit seven 3-pointers through the Cats’ first nine games. As of late though, that beauty has turned sour with Patterson hitting only one 3-pointer in UK’s last eight games.
Walker said if the Cats want a chance to win a championship, Patterson needs to become more vocal in the UK offense.
“If 54 isn’t getting it done the way we know he can get it done they’ll have a good season and win a couple games in the NCAA Tournament and that’s it,†Walker said. “That’s how important he is.
“In order to have a serious chance at a championship they’re going to need more from 54, especially from the last three ball games.â€
I think Patterson is trying to do too much on. Trying to graduate in three years and play ball? Come on, if you want a NCAA championship, lighten the load. Summer school is still there as are classes he can take at a later time. I bet the school load and competing at level he has never been a part of is finally dragging him down. Drop some classes, under 4 years graduating is still awesome!
Why can’t everyone, at least in kentucky, respect Patterson enough to back off of him. Is it necessary for this to be in the kernel. Leave him alone
Why can’t everyone, at least in kentucky, respect Patterson enough to back off of him? Is it necessary for this to be in the kernel? Leave him alone. Patrick Patterson is amazing… That heart can’t be shown on paper
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I agree completely Anonymous!!! Sure, Coach Cal wants more out of him. But is this worth calling him out in the Kernel? He’s a great player with great heart!
And yes he is an important player. So by all means give him more distractions!!
I applaud him for even wanting to graduate. Who cares when he does it!?
Graduating is a great accomplishment! That being said, for PPat to graduate in 3 years is great but let’s not blow it out of proportion – Communications classes aren’t that difficult.
I am from Arkansas and anytime UK is on the floor, I am rooting for the other team. Can’t stand coach Cal and if fact haven’t liked any of the UK coaches escept Tubbs. He had class and didn’t look down his nose at the other colleges. Coach Cal’s karma will come back and bite him big time! Yes, I know he pulled back and kept from really making a fool out of the Razorbacks but I know that if the Razorback coach were someone other than Coach Pel he really would have run up the score.
Okay, Ponder. A little off topic, but thank you for venting.
The Kernel is reporting the observations of all-time UK great Kenny Walker. It’s not an editorial; it’s legitimate coverage. People are getting a little too defensive here. There’s nothing wrong with a little constructive criticism from someone who absolutely loves Patterson and the UK program.
And BTW, there’s a load of money to be made with a Communications major. Think sales and marketing, advertising, corporate communications. And what successful person or business doesn’t need a good publicist? (Tiger could use a better one.) I understand it’s fashionable to joke about it, but majoring in communications at the university level is not the fluff you think it is, notwithstanding the one class you took because you needed three credits and thought it was a bunny.