By ADAM ZAGORIA
Trey Patterson is down to 10 schools.
The 6-foot-8 1/2, 210-pound Patterson, the No. 8 small forward in the Class of 2021 per 247Sports.com’s composite rankings, broke down his remaining 10 options for ZAGSBLOG.
Indiana: “Coach Archie Miller and his staff have many years of coaching experience. Coach Miller and his assistant Coach [Bruiser] Flint have attended a few of my games, and have really spent time building a relationship with me. They express how excited they are in having me be a part of their program, and see me as a special versatile wing forward player who could impact the game on many different levels.
“IU was my first official visit. They have an amazing college atmosphere and their fan base is extremely energetic. I feel like Indiana can help with my overall development in becoming a successful and efficient player.
UConn: “Coach Danny Hurley is a very passionate coach, and is excited about the direction of UConn basketball program, and the return back to the Big East. Assistant Coach [Tom] Moore has visited me at school in the fall. During our Zoom conferences they’ve given me a virtual tour of the campus. They also focus on their vision for me, and how well I would fit into their style of play as a stretch athletic player with guard skills. I like that UConn is a program with a rich winning history, and the coaching staff discuss how they would push me to my full potential and beyond.”
Maryland: “Maryland has a really good coaching staff and they have done a great job with continuing the winning tradition at Maryland. Coach [Mark] Turgeon and Coach [Matt] Brady have done a virtual tour of the campus through Zoom. Their emphasis has been on perimeter player development, being close to home, building relationships and playing time. Maryland is very intriguing to me because of their style of play, and how I can fit into their system.”
Florida: “The appeal to me with Florida is not only Coach Mike White and his coaching staff, but how I believe that I would fit really well in their system. Florida has a really good coaching staff, that has expressed how I can make an immediate impact with my size, skill and versatility. On my official visit back in the fall, I had the opportunity to tour the campus. I also was able to witness the high energy the Gator Nation fans brought to the game. The student section was amazing.”
Tennessee: “Coach [Rick] Barnes is a really good coach with many years of coaching experience, and a winning tradition at several different schools. Coach [Desmond] Oliver has visited me at my school in the fall. On my Zoom call with Coach Barnes and his entire coaching staff, they expressed how they have had much success developing similar players like me that are wing forwards. They also pointed out that I fit into their culture of growth and development. The togetherness that they illustrate on and off the court is very impressive.”
Villanova: “Coach Jay Wright and his coaching staff have been expressing to me how I can fit perfectly into the Villanova winning style of play and add to the tradition of successful Nova Nation players. Coach Wright and Coach [Mike] Nardi visited me at my school in the fall while also attending games during my season.
“On our Zoom calls, they talk about how they view me as a versatile forward who can guard multiple positions, handle the ball along with good court vision and rebound. Coach Wright also emphasizes development and the importance of building character and relationships.”
Auburn: “Auburn was my third official visit and from the time I stepped foot on the campus, the atmosphere was electric. I had the opportunity to watch College Game Day Live, which was great. The crowd was awesome, the amount of energy the student section brought to the game was pretty cool to see. They definitely impacted the outcome of the game. Coach Bruce Pearl and his staff are doing an amazing job with turning AU into an elite and competitive program. Assistant Coach Ira Bowman has visited me at my school in the fall. Coach Pearl stressed that the uptempo style of play, and the freedom he gives his players on offense would [make for] a program where he feels I could flourish the most and maximize my development.”
Rutgers: “Coach [Steve] Pikell and his staff have been doing a great job of turning the Rutgers Program around. Coach Pikell and Coach [Brandin] Knight have visited me at my school in the fall. Coach Pikell has had much success over the last few years with keeping the Jersey kids home. Rutgers is appealing not only because it’s close to home but their style of play also fits.”
Memphis: “Memphis has shown a lot of interest in me throughout this year. Coach Penny [Hardaway] and his assistant coach Cody Toppert came to visit me in the fall, and they were preaching to me how I can be impactful playing multiple positions offensively and defensively. During our Zoom call, I was able to get a virtual tour of the campus and the overall facilities. Coach Penny also said that I reminded him of himself as a player because of my ability to play like a guard and grab rebounds, and start the break.”
Arkansas: “Arkansas just recently offered me about a week ago, and we have had a couple video conferences. Coach [Eric] Musselman and staff feel like they can help me develop my game in order to reach the next level. Their style of play really fits my attributes and my skillset.”
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