Patterson explains her reason for transferring which seems to be about playing time. Odd since she'd have the opportunity to earn a lot of playing time next season for ND.
Also says she won't return to ND though Muffet left the door open.
SOUTH BEND — The player-development efforts of the Notre Dame women’s basketball program helped five individuals land among the top 19 picks in the latest WNBA draft earlier this month — an unprecedented occurrence for any school.
www.ndinsider.com
This is an interesting interview. As you pointed out, you would think it would be obvious to her that there will be a ton of playing time available to her at ND next year with all the graduations, but of course she would have to earn it.
That makes me think that there is probably a difference of opinion between her and the coaches about her position and role. It is quite possible that she does want to play on the wing, and they want her to play at least somewhat in the paint.
If that is her issue, then I don't see why she or Geno should think that coming to Storrs will address her concerns. She might (if she could play next year after transferring) be a candidate to be the fifth starter, but it would be as the 4 rather than the 3. And Geno would expect her to mix it up for rebounds in the paint.
If she really wants to play professionally as she says in the article, I don't see why she would object to that; on the contrary, she should embrace it. But she could just as easily do that by staying in South Bend.
I just re-watched the national semifinal game, where Patterson did play some significant minutes at the end of the first half, when Turner was on the bench with two fouls. She played fairly well and got a rebound or two, but she didn't seem to have an appetite for rugged inside play. She needs to develop that to play professionally.
