PHILADELPHIA — Ron Patterson’s eyes lit up when he saw that Syracuse was slated to host Indiana Dec. 3 in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.
“It’s going to be a good one,” Patterson told SNY.tv Sunday at the Mary Kline Senior Game. “I’ve been wanting it for a long time since I left there, so it’s going to be a good one.”
The 6-foot-3 Patterson initially committed to Indiana but reportedly failed to meet academic requirements in summer school and was then denied admission to Indiana. He then opted to spend the year at Brewster instead of transferring. He ultimately committed to Syracuse in November.
Asked why he felt the way he does about Indiana, Patterson previously told SNY.tv, “Just the way they did me. Like I was screwed over. They said it was academics, but I don’t think it was. I think there was more to it.”
Patterson made those comments before Syracuse beat Indiana in the Sweet 16 in Washington, D.C.
Victor Oladipo and Cody Zeller are gone, but now he will get a crack at the Hoosiers himself.
“Just show them what they missed out on,” he said Sunday.
Patterson was one of three Syracuse recruits who played together on Team Perseverance that lost to Team Courage, 116-110, in the Mary Kline Game.
Philadelphia wing B.J. Johnson had 20 points in the loss, Tyler Roberson also played well with 16 points and Patterson had five.
“I really never met Tyler, but I’m going to meet him today,” Patterson said before the game.
Patterson said Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim told him he will be a “combo guard who will be able to handle the ball some.”
Former St. Benedict’s Prep point guard Tyler Ennis is expected to be the starting point for Syracuse as the Orange enter the ACC, and off guard Trevor Cooney also returns.
“It’s a great opportunity to play the Dukes and the North Carolinas since that’s all everybody ever talks about, is the ACC, Duke and North Carolina,” he said. “Now Syracuse can be in the talk about that.”
With the Orange coming off a Final Four, Patterson has even loftier goals.
“You really can’t beat a Final Four unless you win a national championship,” he said, “so we’re going to try to make it.”
