LUCAS, PATTERSON FORGED BOND AT CAMPS, MIGHT CONTINUE IT AT KENTUCKY

[Radiated]

LUCAS, PATTERSON FORGED BOND AT CAMPS, MIGHT CONTINUE IT AT KENTUCKY

By Jerry Tipton
HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER

In most recruiting years, there's talk of two prospects becoming friends and wanting to attend college together. Usually the players, however reluctantly, go their separate ways.

This year, that talk involves two highly regarded prospects on UK's wish list: Forward Patrick Patterson of Huntington, W.Va., and point guard Jai Lucas of Bellaire, Texas.

As evidenced by their play in the Nike All-America Camp in Indianapolis last week, Patterson and Lucas, as a tandem, would infuse excitement in any program, even Kentucky's.

The players starred together at an all-star camp sponsored by the NBA Players Association last month. They acknowledged that they've talked about going to the same college for a month or so, although each interpreted the talk differently.

--more-- (http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/sports/colleges/university_of_kentucky/14998257.htm)

[WildcatDan]

Good stuff, thanks for the link!

[blueheretic]

If Tubby lands some of these guys even old Dave--MR Negative--will be positively excited.

[Caveman Catfan]

Ohio State playing at Florida. At first glance, it makes no sense for Ohio State, which has much-ballyhooed freshmen (7-footer Greg Oden, Michael Conley and Daequan Cook) at its core, to play the defending national champions on their famously intimidating homecourt. Then again, it does make sense. It's a made-for-TV game.

Makes sense to me, beyond the TV aspect. Oden could only be at OSU for one season. If the Buckeyes want to make it far, they need to know what it will take to beat the best. The Gators have to be the favorites at the beginning of next season. Makes sense to go down pre-season and learn what your team has and what it needs to improve upon.

[Coldstream]

Caveman Catfan wrote: Ohio State playing at Florida. At first glance, it makes no sense for Ohio State, which has much-ballyhooed freshmen (7-footer Greg Oden, Michael Conley and Daequan Cook) at its core, to play the defending national champions on their famously intimidating homecourt. Then again, it does make sense. It's a made-for-TV game.

Makes sense to me, beyond the TV aspect. Oden could only be at OSU for one season. If the Buckeyes want to make it far, they need to know what it will take to beat the best. The Gators have to be the favorites at the beginning of next season. Makes sense to go down pre-season and learn what your team has and what it needs to improve upon.

I agree with you there CC. This logic apparently went over Jerry's head. That class is a great one that can help OSU make a serious run in March ala Mello's freshman year at Syracuse (Edelin/McNamara were also a freshman, Warrick a soph.). By exposing them to great teams at the beginning of the season, this young core of players will learn quickly what it takes to reach the top.

[poodoo]

FCFS82 wrote: blueheretic wrote: If Tubby lands some of these guys even old Dave--MR Negative--will be positively excited.
Until they lose their first game.
:lol:


Hey, now, give him a break.:cool::cool::cool:.

Seriously, "old Dave"(I like that!) :ggrin:does want the Cats to be successful with Tubby Smith the coach. Ireally believe that, beneath (and perhaps way beneath!)all the negativity and that tendency to get frustrated so much more easily than me and many others here. Truly, he just sometimes tries to hide that gentler, nicer side! :cool:

Too,Dave pokes somefun at himself here. Way to go, Dave, and may we indeed see you "positively excited" about the future of UK basketball under Tubby Smith. :ggrin:

Seriously,it would beGREAT if UK could land this pair, Patterson and Lucas.May it happen! :)

[RP_McMurphy]

Let me get this straight BH will be a sensitivity trainer. Oh lord that will be the shortest career in the history of the world.

[DCWildcat]

RP_McMurphy wrote: Let me get this straight BH will be a sensitivity trainer. Oh lord that will be the shortest career in the history of the world.
that almost had me crying

[DCWildcat]

At this stage, Lucas seems our most likely prospect for 2007, and Patterson's probably #2 (with Southern and Hickson rounding out the top 4). I'd love both of these guys (Lucas never gets the love he deserves).

[blueheretic]

RP_McMurphy wrote: Let me get this straight BH will be a sensitivity trainer. Oh lord that will be the shortest career in the history of the world.

I actually was made to do this when I was a PSG in the Army. I made three of my new privates cry and my 1SG told me that I was too mean.

So he made me give a sensitivity training class for NCOPD.

And he wouldn't let me use profanity. Which was exceedingly difficult for me while I was in the Army.

[RP_McMurphy]

Reminds me of a LT (O-3) I knew in 96-97 who was from NYC and was lets say had a language problem. He could the F word in sentence 20 times and pull it off. Funny thing is last year he was CO of his own ship. I would say cut he down on the language but not this Irish guy he would rather die than give up the F word.

blueheretic wrote:
RP_McMurphy wrote: Let me get this straight BH will be a sensitivity trainer. Oh lord that will be the shortest career in the history of the world.

I actually was made to do this when I was a PSG in the Army. I made three of my new privates cry and my 1SG told me that I was too mean.

So he made me give a sensitivity training class for NCOPD.

And he wouldn't let me use profanity. Which was exceedingly difficult for me while I was in the Army.

[RCS]

I read an article the other day that was saying this was the new trend, guys teaming up for a mega class so they could make a run at a NC early in their careers since so many were not around for long. I would love to see it at UK that is for sure. If we signed both of these guys it would be a great foundation for an unbelievable class. Lucas really seems to like UK and everyone knows UK has been on Patterson for a long time. I hope it pays off. This would be huge, since I think their committing may help us land a few other big time players.

[katfever]

I have heard great stuff like this the last two years with ZERO results in positions of need- Tubby needs to close the deal on a monster class this year.

[blueheretic]

RCS wrote: I read an article the other day that was saying this was the new trend, guys teaming up for a mega class so they could make a run at a NC early in their careers since so many were not around for long. I would love to see it at UK that is for sure. If we signed both of these guys it would be a great foundation for an unbelievable class. Lucas really seems to like UK and everyone knows UK has been on Patterson for a long time. I hope it pays off. This would be huge, since I think their committing may help us land a few other big time players.

I hope this bears out. I do not trust Tubbys ability to close the deal.

Pls prove me wrong.

[T75]

blueheretic wrote: RCS wrote: I read an article the other day that was saying this was the new trend, guys teaming up for a mega class so they could make a run at a NC early in their careers since so many were not around for long. I would love to see it at UK that is for sure. If we signed both of these guys it would be a great foundation for an unbelievable class. Lucas really seems to like UK and everyone knows UK has been on Patterson for a long time. I hope it pays off. This would be huge, since I think their committing may help us land a few other big time players.

I hope this bears out. I do not trust Tubbys ability to close the deal.

Pls prove me wrong.

That bunch coming in at Ohio State this season are a great example of what RCS is talking about---and, believe it or not, Thad Matta has another group almost as good coming in 2007. Somehow our 2004 group who helped recruit each other (especially Morris) didn't make it but they still have one more chance--this season before Morris leaves and Crawford too if he has a great year. With Rondo gone, however, our chances don't look all that great unless Perry and some other player or two step up and play out of their skulls. But it could happen.