Taylor King and Kyle Singler will participate in the three point shooting contest.  Patrick Patterson is in the dunking contest.

Much is being made of Billy Donavan possibly to Kentucky.  I must ask, how would Coach Smith feel about Billy flying in, bringing a recruit and snagging Patterson and Lucas?  How would UF fans feel with his talking smack about UK, only to go there?  How would UF fans feel if the Gators fall short and lose deserved publicity for Donovan to gain his?  Is Donovan bigger than UK and UF basketball?  What does this say about his commitment to players?

We all know Duke is recruiting Patterson and from what I hear they have been upfront from the very beginning.  No major promises ... just the facts, you can go to Duke and suceed and there is a track record to prove this.  One would hope that is enough.  Being straight-foward is not a bad thing and you can go in knowing you might trust what you have been told.

So, Kentucky kicks Tubby to the curb after, what, 10 20 win seasons and now Donovan is stealing his teams thunder on whether to take the UK job or posture for a contract.  He had an opportunity to sign with UF log term but said no.

Word is he wants a basketball school, but is he who he claims to be?  Is he Kentucky's savior?  How can you leave a school you have built and go to your basketball rival?

I'm sorry, but regardless of what happens with Patterson, I for one am glad Duke offers stability within it's staff and that they are upfront.

Elsewhere?  I see the ugly underbelly of college basketball.

Stay tuned, the drama is only beginning and be sure to read Pattersons initial reactions in the BDN premum newsletter for more insight.

Jeff Goodman Heels Too Talented?

Jerry Meyer of Rivals onMcDonalds Practices

Donovans Handling Of Rumors Deceptive

Official McDonalds All American Game Site

Duke fans must hit this link:)

Star would follow Donovan to Kentucky

UF thinks Donovan will stay

UF fans trust Donovan will stay and finish what he said he would

Bearup, Walker Want Donovan

Is Donovan hurting his players?

Patterson Props

Here is a read on Josh McRobert's in his hometown paper.

Mater Dei won the California State Title over Archbishop Mitty 69-64 in overtime.  Taylor King scored 29 points and hit a key three pointer to lead his team to a 33-4 record.  Drew Gordon had 17 points and 13 rebounds in the loss.

Taylor King and Mater Dei teammates celebrate!

The Blue Devil Nation talked with Patrick Patterson and got his thoughts on many subjects this afternoon.  He is preparing for the McDonald's All American game and will be leaving with his family this Saturday morning for the prestigious event.

I have been on top of his recruitment since Duke got involved and remain unbiased and objective when asking questions.  So, if you are interested in the very latest on this hot prospect and information that stays ahead of the curve, now is the time to join the Blue Devil Nation Premium Newsletter.

How have the events at Kentucky effected Patrick?  What are his plans now?  Find out in the very latest interview with the coveted prospect that is in the Premium section.

Nobody works harder than I do to bring you the information you covet.  Premium members enjoy accurate reports on recruiting and some of the so called latest news you hear from other sites now, were thought about months ago here.

In fact, the off season is filled with action and what better way to get your Duke Basketball fix than to have a place that covers the team 364 days a year?

You will find interviews with incoming players, prospects and some inside tips on what to expect.  I stick by my statements and eat crow if I have to, but my diet has avoided the dreaded bird for the most part.

It is no secret that other sites and some media pilfer a bit of information, being too lazy to get it on their own. No, we don't know everything, but you can generally bet what we tell you is the truth and that the leg work is done in-house or through a network of trustworthy, well respected sources.

So, give the newsletter a try and get first hand views of the incoming freshman over the summer as well as extreme AAU coverage.  I love Duke football too and we have a lot coming your way on Roof and company after the Patterson race is resolved.

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Duke fans will want to tune into tonights California State Championship game to see a glimpse of their future in  commitment Taylor King.  Also playing is Drew Gordon, a top prospect in next years class and a young man that is on Dukes recruiting radar.

Santa Ana Mater Dei (32-4) vs. San Jose Mitty (29-5) at Arco Arena (Sacramento), Friday, 8 p.m.

The last two times Mater Dei has come to the Arco Arena, the Monarchs went cold on offense and were upset by inferior opponents. This time, Mitty boasts the No. 1 junior big man in the state in 6-8 Drew Gordon, who has the size and jumping ability to battle Mater Dei's big front line. It will be the final high school game for Mater Dei's Taylor King, who comes in with 3,197 career points, fourth on the state's all-time list. Crucial to the game's outcome, however, could be the play of Mater Dei senior point guard Kamyron Brown. The game will be shown on a tape-delayed basis on FSN Prime Ticket.

"It's a classic matchup," said McKnight (760-73). "It could be the best game of the state tournament." ... Mitty, ranked No.5 in the state by Cal-Hi Sports is playing in its first state final. Mater Dei (No.2 in  the state and 14th in the nation) is playing in its 10th.

Mater Dei is not regarded as an overwhelming favorite. Mater Dei has six players 6-foot-7 or taller, but Mitty may have the edge inside because of the athletic ability of Drew Gordon (6-9), Enoch Andoh (6-8) and John Adams (6-5)

Duke commitment Taylor King battles down low.

Mitty Coach Brian Eagleson said his team can't be overly concerned with stopping King (26.6 ppg, 10.8 rpg). "The most important thing is for us to continue playing like Mitty," Eagleson said. "I am a firm believer that we cannot make wholesale changes based upon our opponent - we need to continue to work at the things that got us.

San Jose Mitty was not the team most expected would be playing Santa Ana Mater Dei in the state Division II boys' basketball championship Friday in Sacramento.

Carmichael Jesuit was on track to be the Monarchs' opponent at Arco Arena. After all, the Marauders were 32-1 and the top-ranked team in the state.

Mitty snipped 77-64 Carmichael Jesuit in the Northern California regional final Saturday in Stockton. And Drew Gordon was a big reason for the win.

The 6-foot-8, 235-pound junior forward dominated the game with 15 points, 11 rebounds, four blocked shots and several thunderous dunks.

It was the kind of performance expected from Gordon, 16, considered one of the top prep players in California.

Mater Dei Coach Gary McKnight respects Gordon and the Mitty team.

"I don't know if you could call it an upset," McKnight said of Mitty's victory Saturday. "Maybe, record-wise, Jesuit was upset. But that's a very good team they have. And Drew Gordon is as good a high school player as you're going to find. He's already a man out there."

Gordon remains pumped by the victory, which qualifies Mitty, whose team nickname is also the Monarchs,  for its first championship game. .

"Last year I thought we were good enough to win it, but Palo Alto had something to say about it," said Gordon, speaking by phone from school. "Winning is a good feeling. A huge weight was lifted off of us."

Gordon gets his height, jumping ability and competitiveness from his father, Ed, who grew up in Los Angeles, played basketball at Carson and Verbum Dei and eventually San Diego State, where he was a teammate of former Clippers forward Michael Cage and baseball Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn.

Gordon's first love growing up was hockey, but after a couple of concussions, he was advised by doctors to try a different sport.

"Drew became more interested in basketball at age 11, when all his friends were playing," Ed said.

Gordon developed his skills while playing in AAU events and summer camps. Last year, he was rated among the top 10 freshmen and sophomores at the ABCD camp in New Jersey.

When he reached Mitty in 2005, Gordon was a fundamentally sound rebounder and defender. And his offense has steadily improved. As a freshman, he averaged 11.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and four blocked shots. Those numbers increased to 15.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and 4.5 blocks his sophomore year.

This season, Gordon averaged 15.9 points, 10.9 rebounds and 3.6 blocks. He is quick to point out, he doesn't do it by himself deferring to his teammates.  He admits his offense is a work in progress.

"The best part of my game is athleticism," he said. "I'd rather play with my back to basket. My 'face up' game is still raw. I can shoot the jumper when the defense forces me to play farther out. But I'm more comfortable under the basket, and my best shot is the jump hook."

Kentucky has already offered a scholarship. UCLA, Washington, Arizona, North Carolina and Duke are also showing interest.

Gordon and his family have made several unofficial visits to colleges, but he said he's not close to making a decision.

"It will be about academics as much as athletics," Gordon said. "I want to study computer science, so I want strong academics as well as a good basketball program."

Gordon respects Mater Dei's accomplishments of the other Monarchs led by Duke-bound forward Taylor King.

"It will take lots of heart," Gordon said. "But I expect the game to go down to the end. With two teams not wanting to lose the final game, it will definitely be about heart."

Duke will have an assistant coach at the event.

I talked to Patricks Mom about the upcoming McDonald's game and Tubby Smiths departure and how it might play into the battle for her sons services.  The BDN has followed the situation as close, if not closer than any fan site and brings you accurate information, swatting down rumors and never generating them.

If you want to the latest on the Patrick Patterson recruitment or what is going on around Duke, consider joining the Blue Devil Nation Premium Newsletter. The paypal links are under the menu.

This is huge news, but not unexpected.  Many Kentucky fans got their wish as   Tubby Smith stepped down.

Patrick Pattersons Response To Tubby Going To Minnesota