SEC Media Day: Calipari, Patterson all the rage

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The camera flashes started popping as soon as Kentucky’s contingent stepped through the automatic doors of the Birmingham Marriott. The early morning crowd at Thursday’s Southeastern Conference Media Day event couldn’t get enough of John Calipari and Co. as they arrived via shuttle from the airport.

Like he is in Kentucky, Calipari was treated like a rock star by reporters who had not had an opportunity to lob their questions at him since he took the UK job last spring. It didn’t take long for star forward Patrick Patterson to smile and notice the similarities.

“He’s a god in Kentucky,” Patterson said. “They all love him. He’s already in commercials. He’s got the key to the city. He could be Mr. Kentucky.”

For a morning, he was Mr. Birmingham.

Calipari and Patterson met with reporters from all over the conference and assorted national outlets, speaking for an hour at tables set up inside a meeting room off the lobby of the hotel. Although several other coaches and players were available at the same time, including UK women’s coach Matthew Mitchell, Calipari was undeniably the main attraction as there was a consistent throng of media three-deep around his table.

It was the last major public relations and media appearance Calipari is charged with doing before games get underway with the first exhibition on Nov. 2.

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Matt May is the basketball beat reporter for The Cats’ Pause. If you have questions or comments about the Cats e-mail him here.