Thoughts: Patterson, remainder of season etc.

What a shock it was to see the news of losing Patrick Patterson for the season. I got online just as the news was breaking yesterday and had to do a double-take. There were many words to describe what I felt…disbelief, sadness and heartbreak, just to name a few. Patrick is a huge part of this team and will be sorely missed.

There are many questions that will have to be answered by this team in the few remaining games. It’s not over, not yet anyway. Players will have to step up, as I expect they will. These ‘Cats have shown this season that they’re fighters who do not quit. They have been finding ways to win and it should be no different with the loss of Patterson. Hell, who knows? Maybe their best is yet to come.

What will Kentucky do now? That’s the million dollar question at this point. Do Bradley and Crawford throw up threes left and right? Is Jared Carter the savior? You get the point, there’s simply no one answer right now.

Jared Carter 

Let’s talk about Jared for a moment. By now, everyone knows his story, the lack of career he’s had etc. If there’s one person right now who can step up and show something, it’s him. He now has the opportunity of a lifetime. But the question is…Will he take advantage of it? Lately, coach Gillispie has been saying great things about Carter. Just this Monday he said that there was going to be a game very soon where people were going say WOW! If this is indeed the case…the time has come now.

The Seniors 

Ramel Bradley and Joe Crawford have been huge for us this season. They’ve done just about everything at one point or another. I don’t know what else more they could really do, except just go out there and do what they’ve been doing. Anything extra will be a bonus, but I do expect them to do their damndest to carry the team.

Team Effort

I think it’s going to come down to a team effort. Everyone will have to step up. Stevenson, Carter, Stewart and on down the line. They’ve been faced with that reality more than ever now and need to take advantage.

Thanks 

I’ve already seen the headlines and dirty messages. The ‘Cats are dead…No way they make the tournament now, etc, etc.

We do know the true basketball fans out there. I would like like to say thanks to those fans of other programs that have shown their support through the message boards, radio and so on. It does mean alot to know that not all “Fans” are cruel, vulgar and just plain mean spirited.

For the Kentucky Fans 

This isn’t the time to mope, this team now needs your support more than ever. This season is not over, not by a long shot. We are still in this thing and you you should be too, I know I am.

Remember, we are the University of Kentucky Wildcats. Our nine lives haven’t run out just quite yet! There’s more scratching left to do.

As Billy Gillispie said…”Bring it on!”