D-Day

Well, we're here. Patrick Patterson announces today what school he has decided to sign with. He has waited until virtually the last possible moment to decide, and we'll all find out later this afternoon.

Jai Lucas, the other top unsigned recruit, signed with Florida a couple of days ago and much has been made of how Lucas wants to play with Patterson, if not the other way around. While Duke made the cut to the final three schools, Kentucky being the third, essentially no one is giving the Blue Devils a chance at landing Patterson.

Here at Dukemadness we like to be hopeful, yet realistic. To be honest, we've grown tired of the recruiting saga, and while we're holding out hope for Patterson to give the Blue Devils a much-needed inside presence next year, we're mainly happy to not have to chase down false leads as to his decision as we have been doing for the last 3 months.

Without Patterson, the feisty but short Lance Thomas and the tall but gangly and travel-prone (and let's face it, white; perhaps the whitest since Shawn Bradley) Brian Zoubek are the best the Devils have for pulling down boards and posting up. Unless, of course, Coach K decides to change Taylor King's game to a more traditional four. And that probably won't happen, nor, probably, should it.

So, Patrick, if you're not going to pick Duke (and please, please do) then will you at least go to Kentucky? Florida has had their run. It's been a good one. And if you head down there, intent on an education and therefore likely staying for more than a single season, Florida just may be in the hunt for another national title in a couple of years, and that's just boring.

Go Duke.