Danger Will Robinson-Danger
Nick Calathes, the 6-5 McD's AA who is a pass first PG said that he would follow Donovan "whereever" in an article I read recently (don't have link). Nick has a highly touted 6-8 wing/pf high school teammate also headed to FL, but that might follow Nick and Billy to UK. Suddenly, UK might be talented enough to sway PP (who I agree seems to have soured on the UK fan base). Donovan could pitch PP a scenario where he would be filling a recruiting class (UK already bringing in a 7 ft center) eerily similiar to the current Noah, Horford, et al class that would be 2-3 year away from being a national title contender.
Donovan to UK might not be that great for Duke.
Patrick Yates
Patterson Slam Dunk Contest
Oh no here we go again!!!
Or maybe Patterson will be an inch taller, 20 pound heavier version of Jamal Boykins. This strikes me as similar to the we need "Lance to Advance" thread from last year.
Look, I hope we get Patterson, by all accounts he is a good kid. His ranking, and the little i have seen of him would indicate he has the ability to play at Duke. That said he is ranked between 15 and 20 in his class, not notably different than existing Dukees Zoubek, Thomas and King were/are (Singler is consistently rated much higher).
If we get Patterson he will likely play significant minutes given that we are thin at this type of position, but offensively he is likely to be the 4th or 5th option. Anything he gives us as a freshman beyond a few rebounds and 5 post fouls a game will be a plus. I will be extremely happy to land him, but I am not ready to hang his name in the rafters just yet.