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UK Basketball: No one has to explain the UK-UofL rivalry to Patrick Patterson

December 31, 2008|LARRY VAUGHT

LEXINGTON - No one ever had to explain the Kentucky-Louisville rivalry to Patrick Patterson.

"I understand the rivalry. I know all about Louisville fans hating Kentucky and Kentucky fans hating Louisville," said the Kentucky sophomore.

Even though Patterson is a West Virginia native, he understands the significance of Sunday's Kentucky-Louisville game to UK fans because of the constant reminders he gets from fans about the Cardinals.

"I get constant messages from fans and constant feedback from fans around campus saying, 'Beat Louisville.' When I am at the mall walking around there will be a bunch of Kentucky fans saying, 'Beat Louisville, we are looking forward to the Louisville game and keep on doing what you are doing against Louisville.' So we know all about the rivalry," Patterson said.

"Even if you are not from Kentucky and come to Kentucky and don't know anything about UK, the first thing you realize is that Louisville is a huge rival game. Both teams hate each other. Both schools dislike each other, so you use it for motivation."

Patterson says the Kentucky-Louisville chatter never ends.

"Even during football season you here it. During the first football game (with Louisville in September), that was one of the things I heard from the fans. We took a picture with one fan and he said, 'Get Louisville this year.' That is something you are always going to hear about Louisville," Patterson said.

Patterson remembers when Louisville coach Rick Pitino was coaching at Kentucky and building a national power.

"I am not too young to remember him. I watched a couple of games every year when he was at Kentucky. I wasn't like glued to the TV watching a whole bunch of games. I was always out, but whenever I was in, I saw occasional games with Kentucky and liked the way he had them play," Patterson said. "He's got a good team at Louisville again this year and this will be a huge game for us."

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