Offense
Strengths
• Strong and agile
• Crashes offensive boards
• Uses body well in the post
• Improved face up and perimeter game
• Can hit the 3
• Sets solid screens
Weaknesses
• Needs to work on driving to the basket
• Needs to improve free throw shooting
• Passes up shot too often
• Finishing strong at the rim
Defense
Strengths
• Good on ball defender
• Athletic – can guard smaller, quicker offensive players
• Moves feet well, good help defender
• Boxes out well, grabs rebounds up high and with 2 hands
• Uses body well against post players
Weaknesses
• Needs to improve his closing skills
• Shot blocking
Analysis
Patterson has made a good adjustment this season, moving from a primary post player to a player who can work the baseline from sideline to sideline. On offense, Patterson has drastically improved his perimeter shooting while still going down to the post and using his power and quickness when necessary. He needs to improve on taking the ball from the perimeter to the basket, giving him an all-around game. On defense, Patterson shows a nice ability to guard the ball out to the perimeter while also using his body well to defend post players. He also shows a good knack for grabbing rebounds on both ends. He has shown consistency this season helping guide a team full of freshman through a full NCAA season.
- Ed Isaacson
