Pattillo a key for Sooners tonight
Juan Pattillo has gone from redshirt in January to supersub in February to forgotten man in March. Last week in Kansas City, the Oklahoma basketball team barely used Pattillo. In the second half against Michigan, OU coach Jeff Capel didn’t substitute until the final 19 seconds.
But that should change tonight against Syracuse. Pattillo will be needed against the Orange.
Pattillo has struggled the longer he has played. Pattillo came out of redshirt status in January and was an immediate sensation. His shot-blocking became a serious defensive force for the Sooners, and Pattillo’s athletic ability led to a bunch of dunks off nifty passes and offensive rebounds. Plus, he made foul shots, which always is a plus.
But Pattillo struggled the longer the season went. He resorted to junior-college tendencies. Forcing shots. Getting lost on defense. Pattillo has had his moments of coming out of the funk. But against some opponents, his value lessens.
Michigan, for example. The Wolverines were remarkably unathletic for a second-round NCAA Tournament team. Michigan was well-drilled and could make a free-lancer look bad. The Sooners were better off sticking with starters or playing guys who more stayed between the lines.
But Pattillo’s athletic ability will be needed tonight. Syracuse is big and quick. The Orange has guards, notably Jonny Flynn, who can penetrate and break down the defense. The basket must be guarded, and Pattillo can do it. Pattillo’s rebounding will be needed, too, because Syracuse will crash the boards. The Orange has a big front line.
In fact, Pattillo could play on the perimeter some tonight. He’s athletic enough to guard wing men, like Syracuse’s 230-pound Paul Harris. I don’t think Pattillo is great defending outside, but he’s adequate. Plus Taylor Griffin will need some relief in the paint.
Expect Juan Pattillo to play a bunch tonight against Syracuse.
-------------Berry Tramel can be heard Monday through Friday from 4:40-5:20 p.m. on The Sports Animal radio network, including AM-640 and FM-98.1. You can e-mail him here and follow him on Twitter @BerryTramel. Visit Berry's website here.
If you enjoyed this post, please consider to leave a comment or subscribe to the feed and get future articles delivered to your feed reader.
Juan has disappeard. Is he still around?