Patterson on track to graduate in 3 years

I ran across this little blurb about Patrick Patterson and Jodie Meeks in Jeff King’s “Winners and Losers”:

“Visited with Kentucky’s Jodie Meeks and Patrick Patterson last week, and I couldn’t have walked away more impressed. Meeks is a business major who carries a 3.1 grade-point average, and get this: Patterson, a sophomore is on pace to graduate after just three years. Granted, there’s a chance he might turn pro after this season. But to think he – or any college basketball player – could earn a diploma after three years is amazing considering their travel schedule and the demands on their time.” King’s Article

Probably the 382nd time you have seen this picture, and not the last either

It really is gratifying as a UK fan to have the two players who are most responsible for helping UK get back to its rightful place atop the SEC and among the nation’s elite be such excellent representatives of the program. The two roommates, by all accounts, are as solid as people and teammates as they are as players. They make me proud to be a UK fan.

With the stellar play of both, there has been some talk lately about whether they will test the NBA waters at the season’s end. Both look to be solid first round picks (in other words, they would be guaranteed a contract), so it will be hard for them to not consider their options.

However, the revelation that Patterson is on schedule to graduate in 3 years is another check mark in the pro column for coming back next year. Buster, Tywanna, and Patrick Patterson have always talked about Patrick’s education, so I have always thought it at least possible that he stick around for more than 1-2 years.

Imagine this situation playing out: UK wins the SEC regular season, gets a good seed in March, and makes a run to the Sweet 16 or deeper. UK loses no contributors to graduation next season (no, I don’t consider Jared Carter a loss). UK is going to gain Daniel Orton, Jon Hood, and Matt Pilgrim: three kids who look like they will make an immediate impact. Meeks and Patterson have an excellent relationship with Coach Gillispie. Jodie and Patrick would be coming back to a situation where they would likely compete at the national level and would be able to etch themselves into UK lore (something that they have both demonstrated an awareness of and a respect for). Combine that with the fact that both would be just a year away from graduation, and you have a pretty compelling case to stay in school.

Regardless of whether they stay or not, the important thing is that we, as UK fans, continue to appreciate the privilege that is having both of these guys at the same time.  They have turned UK into the early favorite to win the SEC, so continue to enjoy watching them and this team, and maybe throw in a “ONE MORE YEAR” chant every once in a while!