True Blue Kentucky

 

As told by TBK message board poster bglass, who heard the live airing of the Patterson comments on Wave 3.  

"Yeah, I'll be back next year."

Then the reporter asked him if people will be surprised by that answer.

Pat says, "A lot of people, yeah. A lot of people surprised, a lot of people happy. Some people will still think 'hey, he's probably still gonna leave, he's probably just saying that to keep us quiet, to keep us happy'. But you know, from my standpoint now, talking with my family, talking with the coaches, we talk about coming back next year."

Today has been a positive day for UK basketball.  I've had a few really good conversations with some very informed and connected people.  These conversations have left me feeling very positive about the future of UK basketball....not just in the long term, but for tomorrow as well.

The big news is Patrick Patterson announced tonight that he will return next season.  I imagine this will factor as a huge positive in Meeks' decision.

Let's be honest, the team does not live in a bubble.  They are well aware of the heat that is focused on coach Gillispie.  Billly isn't deaf either.  He realizes that there are things he could have done better and to the suprise of many, he has made this known to the important people.

The result is some surprisingly positive energy.  Sometimes hitting "bottom" is what makes you finally step back, look at the situation, and see the points where you can improve.  This seems to be the point that almost everyone associated with UK basketball has reached.

And it is good.

I can't predict the future, but I would be amazed if UK doesn't come out tomorrow against Ole Miss and show UK fans what teamwork and intensity is all about.  The mood around the team right now resembles that of a top seed much more than a team that has only once chance to make the NCAAs.

Tomorrow could very well be the beginning of the new UK basketball program.  That is the energy that is circulating....and it's really, REALLY nice to see.  I don't want to reveal personal & private conversations, but the feeling around the team at this point is surprisingly positive.  It's nearly infectious.  I'm totally caught off guard by it, to be honest.

I have to admit, I have not been very optimistic about UK basketball's future in the past few weeks.  As someone who generally finds the silver lining, I've been choking on the cloud recently.  The information I've been privy to in the last 12 hours has renewed my spirit and I have to say...GO UK!

In other news, Patrick Patterson loves Billy Gillispie.  That's not a quote you would have expected to hear if you believed all the internet rumors over the past week.

Also, this artcile highights the positive feel that I'm being told has been pervasive among the players during this trip.

Additionally, it now seems as if AJ Stewart never quit the UK basketball team.  While I certainly appreciate the sentiment in which this information is offered, I can tell you with 100% certainty, that this is mostly spin.  AJ may have not submitted an official "I quit" form, but his words and actions following the USC game were clearly in that mode.

Regardless, it's great to see what seems like a new attitude from AJ as well.  It matches what I've been hearing over the past 24 hours and confirms what I'm starting to supspect.

These player are becoming a TEAM!

Marc Maggard

True Blue Kentucky