February 25, 200818 yr I've seen it. How good you are at any level or year is based on performance. Mercer didn't do a whole lot until the end of the season. Someone needs to pay attention. The threard says "since" PP...doesn't say to compare. I think we all agree that Patterson is the best in a long time.
February 25, 200818 yr Definitely since Mashburn. Patterson has amazed me with his maturity, he does not play like a Freshman. I think his impact is so much that I really feel UK would be around the 8 win mark without him.
February 25, 200818 yr Stat comparison between freshman years: Jamal Mashburn: 28 Games 677 Minutes (24.2 minutes/game) 137/289 (47.4) 24/82 from three (29.3) 64/88 free throws (72.7) 195 Rebounds 42 Assists 37 Steals 56 Turnovers 362 Points Patrick Patterson: 24 Games 856 Minutes (35.7 minutes/game) 158/273 (57.9) 0/3 from three (0.0) 80/110 free throws (72.7) 188 Rebounds 41 Assists 20 Steals 52 Turnovers 396 Points The way I see it, Patterson has superior statistics, but also played far more than Jamal. I'd still take Mashburn any day of the week. I don't know. They are asked to do 2 totally different things. When Jasper and Stevenson are on the floor, UK is playing 3 on 5 on the offensive end. Patterson has faced many more types of defenses than Mashburn did. UK could afford for Mashburn to get 8 pts one night, b/c they had three or four other guys capable of picking up the slack. If Patterson goes for 8, UK loses. Mashburn was a better overall player, but he wasn't as important to UK as Patterson is as a Freshman.
February 25, 200818 yr ^ I don't think you remember Mash's freshmen year like I do. Mash like Patterson made everyone around him better, but Mash handled the ball much more than Pat and therefore had more chances to make people better. Mash was the key recruit to Pitino getting things turned around and Pat is in that boat as well for BCG. Mash and Pat both have put a team on their back and made everyone better.
February 25, 200818 yr Seriously I would say Mashburn as far as having that instant NBA appeal type player. I don't really judge on "NBA" type talent or player, I just want a good, solid college basketball player that hopefully will be around more than one year or hopfully 4, at least 3. I listed Mash as well, just wanted to add that an NBA type player is not one of my qualifications. As far as the scope of this thread, Patterson is the best since Mashburn, IMO. Best freshman to ever play for UK? I'm going to go old school and say Cotton Nash. I know, he couldn't play varsity back then, but as a frosh, I understand he was just incredible. (not too bad after his frosh year either ) From talking to old timers, I get the feeling Issel would be a close 2nd to Nash as Freshman player. I agree with Dan Issel. :thumb:
February 25, 200818 yr The threard says "since" PP...doesn't say to compare. I think we all agree that Patterson is the best in a long time. Exactly. Which is why I said Mash. Mercer is not and was not on Patterson's level as a freshman.
February 25, 200818 yr Dwight "The Blur" Anderson He was exciting to watch and Hall played him at a small forward/guard slot like Derrick Anderson did in '96. When Alexinas left and UK put Anderson in that position and put Cowan at center they were at their best down the stretch and in particular during the SEC tourney. If Blur doesn't break his arm vs. LSU in the semi-finals it's very likely UK beats the Vols the next night and goes back to the NCAA.
February 25, 200818 yr Author Keith Bogans had a great freshman year. As did Antoine Walker. Saying he is the best since Mashburn may be a reach since Mash is probably the best to ever wear the blue and white! :thumb: Dan Issel was better than Mashburn.
February 28, 200818 yr Exactly. Which is why I said Mash. Mercer is not and was not on Patterson's level as a freshman. He didn't have the chance to. There was a lottery pick in his position in front of him as well as 4 starters that were NBA FIRST rounders.
February 28, 200818 yr How you perform as a freshman is how you perform. I cant help it who was in front of him. Neither can Mash. My answer is still Mash.
February 29, 200818 yr I say Mercer was the most gifted freshman in the last 15 years, but yes, statistically, he was not because of who was in front of him. I agree with you on Mash.
March 1, 200818 yr Mash and Pat came into a similiar situation as far as getting the program to a competitive team again. Mash did it and carried the team great, proven. Now Pat is hurt and won't be able to pull off more upsets and have a great game or two by the end of the season. IMO Mash is better to begin with and will be better over all but Pat is close, very close.
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