OPEN SHOT: Talk about the Wildcats

by Glenn Logan on Dec 23, 2007 2:19 PM EST in Open Thread

This is an open thread, talk about anything Wildcat related.

Alex Legion joining Illinois is a hot story today, although frankly I could care less.

Also, we snapped our four-game losing streak yesterday, and Patrick Patterson made his case for Freshman of the Year in the SEC.

But this is an open thread. Anything Kentucky sports related is welcome.

Tweet Comment 15 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Made his case?

Patterson made his case for SEC Freshman of the Year. In December. Against Tennessee Tech. Um, yeah, whatever, dude.

by dafillibusta on Dec 23, 2007 2:34 PM EST reply actions

24 and 15.

Is there some other freshman in the SEC putting up those kind of numbers against anyone?

No. He is the 7th leading scorer in the SEC and the second leading rebounder, second in FG%. And your appeal to the fact that it is early yet is a non-sequitur -- every team is playing weaker, OOC comp right now.

Perhaps Andrew Ogilvy will challenge, or Nick Calathes of Florida. But I doubt it. I think Ogilvy's rebounding (or lack thereof) will be his downfall, and Calathes isn't even in the top 10 in scoring.

So yeah, I think yesterday was a strong case, along with the rest of his performance so far. I expect Patterson to average very close to a double -double in points and rebounds, and I think that will be plenty for freshman of the year.

by Glenn Logan on Dec 23, 2007 3:11 PM EST up reply actions

Non non sequitur

Most teams are playing weaker competition right now. But if Patterson had put up 24 and 15 against UNC or any one of the non-garbage teams UK has played this season, then that might be a statement. Against TTU, it's a guy physically dominating weaker opponents. (He's had double digit rebounds only against Gardner-Webb, Liberty, Stony Brook and Tennessee Tech.) Same thing can be said with some of Beasley's numbers, but his numbers have been even more impressive.

That Aussie kid at Vandy has gotten the most pub without having the preseason hype that Patterson had, so to say "perhaps" he will challenge is dumb. He is challenging him. Not to mention Vandy appears to be the better team at this point. No, they haven't played near the schedule UK has, but they haven't lost to Gardner-Webb, either.

Put it this way - I've seen some columnists list Andrew (or AJ - I can't figure out what his friggin' name is) Ogilvy in their NATIONAL player of the year lists. Not national freshman of the year, but player. You won't see Patterson on any of those lists right now (and you won't see Ogilvy on it by the end of the year).

If Vanderbilt has a solid year (and how many have they won in a row against UK now?), then Ogilvy probably wins.

Nick Calathes may be better than both of them.

by dafillibusta on Dec 23, 2007 4:24 PM EST up reply actions

Patterson's Numbers

Patterson has posted the following numbers against what I consider the three best teams UK has played with him available.

UNC-19 pts 9 reb.
IU-15 pts 5 reb.
UAB- 18 pts 7 reb.

Not bad numbers for a freshman.

The SEC FOY battle should be a good one, with likely more than one deserving player.

by Ken Howlett on Dec 23, 2007 4:48 PM EST up reply actions

Against UNC? Lol?

I think the biggest observation in that game was the fact that Tyler Hansborough was outplayed by Patterson. Yes. Tyler Hansborough, someone in contention for National PLAYER of the Year.

| ride | the | lightning |

by paralyzer on Dec 23, 2007 5:08 PM EST up reply actions

I really ...

don't know what to say to this, except to agree to disagree.

Keep in mind, that he also physically dominated Tyler Hansborough, and the only real sub-par game he has had since Garner-Webb was against Indiana, and that was 15-5.

Anyone who has Ogilvy on their national player of the year list anywhere above 50 is insane, or unqualified to comment on basketball in my opinion. I have seen Ogilvy play, and he is good, but Patterson will eat his lunch, dinner and breakfast. All at once. Period.

Calathes is not better than either. Of the three, he is the least likely to be Freshman of the Year.

On at least one thing we can agree -- Patterson will not compete for national player of the year, not really. Some will mention him, but he isn't really good enough yet, and maybe never will be.

But he is more than good enough to be SEC FOY, and even POY, although I doubt if he will seriously compete for POY in the SEC this year. I think Lofton is likely to win that honor unless he just lies down or gets injured. The media love him.

by Glenn Logan on Dec 23, 2007 7:25 PM EST up reply actions

Fox

The hoops writer from FoxSports.com, for one, had Ogilvy on his POY list at number 6 last week. While I think that's a huge stretch, it's foolhardy to claim that the writer is insane or knows nothing about basketball. (I'm prepared for the barrage of responses that point out that the Fox writer has some sort of vendetta against UK or something like that.)

I suppose we will see if Patterson can dominate Ogilvy. The fact is they may rarely be checking one another in the game, barring a strategic change by either coach.

On Calathes, it's clear he won't win freshman of the year. He MAY turnout to be the best of the three, though.

I wouldn't give anything to Lofton just yet. Right now, the SEC POY line forms behind Shan Foster (which won't hold up, either.)

by dafillibusta on Dec 23, 2007 8:16 PM EST up reply actions

Had to look

I had to find out if this was, in fact, Tru's favorite sports writer, Jeff Goodman.

Here's the link.
http://msn.foxsports.com/cbk/story/7575262

I will let Tru comment on the line about Goodman being insane or knowing nothing about basketball.

by EEWildcat on Dec 24, 2007 12:31 AM EST up reply actions

Hehe ...

I just knew it would be.

I think I said all I need to about The Loathsome Troll Jeff Goodman above. Clueless.

by Glenn Logan on Dec 24, 2007 12:37 AM EST up reply actions

patterson

so if not patterson, who is your frontrunner?

GO BIG BLUE!! GO BIG BLUE!!

by UKWildCatFanatic on Dec 23, 2007 3:51 PM EST up reply actions

Patterson is...

... easily the SEC frosh of the year so far. Dude's crazy good.

Orange & Blue Hue http://www.orangeandbluehue.com

by Gatorpilot on Dec 23, 2007 6:56 PM EST reply actions

Stirring The Pot

I thought I would stir the pot a bit. Here are the probable best candidates for SEC FOY, and their stats to this point in the season.

A. Ogilvey- 19.0 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 67% FG, 76% FT
P. Patterson- 17.2 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 68% FG, 71% FT
C. Warren- 15.1 PPG, 5.7 APG(Leads SEC)
N. Calathes- 14.8 PPG, 76% FT, 5.5 APG(2nd in SEC)
1.77 SPG
A. Randolph- 13.9 PPG, 50% FG, 1.73 SPG

by Ken Howlett on Dec 23, 2007 11:43 PM EST reply actions

wow

thanks for the breakdown. i think we can all agree that PPat is definitely making a case to be SEC FOY, but it'll be fun to see all these guys through the end of the season.

i didn't realize the number of quality freshmen the SEC had this year. and these are just the one making an instant impact. i'm sure there a few diamonds in the rough that'll show up in the next couple of years.

GO BIG BLUE!! GO BIG BLUE!!

by UKWildCatFanatic on Dec 24, 2007 10:23 AM EST up reply actions

Freshamn of the year..

Shouldn't that be determined by the how they perform in SEC play?

Patrick Patterson has a very real chance to be SEC player of the year if UK improves and makes a run for the SEC title. Sure UK does not have talented depth, but a healthy UK has two all SEC players who, if healthy can carry the team (PP and Meeks). If Joe and Ramel play team ball then UK is capable of winning the SEC.

by BeatUL on Dec 24, 2007 9:11 AM EST reply actions

Too Early

It's always fun to speculate.

Being that there are several viable candidates due to the strong freshman class, it's interesting to see how the performances of each player is shaping up.

But you are right, mid to late December is a bit early to crown a victor.

I think Patterson has just as good a chance as anyone not named Lofton to win SEC POY. If Lofton continues to put up sub-Lofton numbers, that will certainly open up the POY race.

by Ken Howlett on Dec 24, 2007 11:12 AM EST up reply actions