Cats Eyeing Number One Seed

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By Ira D. Combs Syndicated Columnist
Tri State Sports Media Service Inc.

Now that the Cats have survived the double dose of Memorial Gymnasium in Nashville and Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville without too much damage being done to their lofty ranking and NCAA seed (with a special thanks to Kansas and Purdue for losing) UK can set their sights on finishing regular season play this week hopefully with a win at Georgia and then send off the seniors in grand fashion Sunday at Noon in Rupp Arena with the CBS cameras rolling nationwide.

Presently, most everyone concerned with college basketball officially and unofficially, as well as media types, have UK as a solid #1 seed for the Big Dance beginning in two weeks.

Now that could all come tumbling down with an upset at Georgia or an early exit in the SEC Tourney in Nashville, Tennessee in a week. I can't see either one of those happening this week or next.

There is nothing quite like Senior Day at Rupp Arena. Look for another drama filled and emotionally charged sendoff for this year's seniors and with this year's conference tournament being in Nashville, well, we all know that the SEC Tourney is like a second home court for UK as long as it's in Atlanta or Nashville and with the new revival that's taken place this year with Coach Cal in charge, I see another SEC Championship finished off.

Patterson and Senior Day Festivities

Patrick Patterson is a junior as far as eligibility goes with the NCAA but he will finish enough course work to be graduating this spring/summer according to Coach Cal in several of his earlier comments this season. So, what does UK do concerning Senior Day festivities and Patterson since it's been highly speculated that he will enter his name for early entry into this summer's NBA draft.

He is definitely worthy of some type recognition and/or sendoff with all he has accomplished in his three years at UK. But, does UK break a time honored tradition and let him take a place alongside his fellow teammates Ramon Harris, Perry Stevenson, and Mark Krebs who are seniors even though he is technically a three year player who scholastically can graduate.

If he does not take place in festivities at all does it mean he will return? We shall see come Sunday.

On a personal note if he is turning pro this spring, I think he should be allowed to take place in the Senior Day festivities and be honored as such. After all he is graduating and isn't that what the NCAA is all about. In my eyes, Patrick Patterson iposter boardrboard example of the term the NCAA likes to use the most, a student-athlete.

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