Sophomore Under The Radar: Sean Kilpatrick, Cincinnati
There was not a whole lot of buzz about Kilpatrick last season, a freshman who earned 20 minutes a game off the bench, but this year, things could be different as Kilpatrick could be the outside threat to open up things for Yancy Gates inside. The New York native started hot with 21 points in his debut and 26 points a few games later, but slowed down during the core of Big East play, before exploding again down the stretch. In the season's final 12 games, Kilpatrick hit double-figures in scoring 7 times, doing most of his damage from the 3-point arc, where he led the team in shooting percent from distance with a .377 mark; he was third on the team in scoring on the year with a 9.7 average, but was the most effective of any Bearcat player. Kilpatrick posted an offensive rating of 112.4, sixth best amongst all freshmen.
Kilpatrick's late season burst allowed Gates room to operate down low where he averaged 16 points in the final nine games, where Cincinnati went 6-3, including two losses to eventual NCAA-champion, UConn. If Mick Cronin can feature Kilpatrick more often as a combo-guard, the sophomore will lead Cincinnati back to the NCAA Tournament for the second time since joining the Big East.
ByPresident Corey Ruff - 7-24-11
