Pattons shaping program

DeKALB - Michael Patton had a strategic plan to get an ideal christmas present. Finding time with his father wasn't an issue. His dad, Ricardo, is the head coach for the Northern Illinois University men's basketball team. As the starting point guard for the Huskies, Michael spends considerable time with his father. But finding the appropriate time, well, that was Michael's dilemma. Three days before Christmas, Northern Illinois suffered an 86-75 loss at Wisconsin-Green Bay, dropping the Huskies' record to an abysmal 2-9, with eight of the losses by double digits. Forget threading a perfect pass through traffic under the basket in crunch time, Michael's toughest assist would be presenting his father with his desire for Bose headphones. “I had to wait until I caught him in a good mode so he got me a pretty good present this year,” Michael said. “Sometimes it's hard coming in from a bad practice or loss and going home and seeing him in a bad mood.” Handling delicate issues with his demanding father is just one of the numerous requirements for the younger Patton, on and off the hardwood. Back in March, Ricardo Patton was expected to lead the Northern Illinois program to new heights. At 3-10, the Huskies need more seasoning before an accurate assessment. But Michael, with seven straight starts heading into Sunday's home game against Toledo, including a career-high 20-point effort at Western Michigan, quickly turned into one of the key contributors for the young Huskies. “That's one of the things I'm most proud of; he's got a great work ethic,” Ricardo said of his son. “I don't have to kickstart him to get him going in practice. I'm enjoying coaching him and having him around.”

DECIDING TO PLAY FOR DAD The decision to attend prep school was one of the leading factors to Michael eventually signing to play for the Huskies. A two-time MVP for Boulder High School in Colorado, Michael elected to play for Solebury prep school last year. Before the start of the 2006-07 season, Ricardo made a tough decision of his own. He announced his resignation at the end of the year as head coach at Colorado. While Michael adjusted to life away from home and bettered his game, Ricardo labored trying to motivate a young Colorado squad. Five-foot-10 guards aren't highly recruited by most Big 12 Conference teams, unless they possess Allen Iverson-like quickness and hops. When Ricardo accepted the Northern Illinois job, Michael seized the chance to play for his father. “I always wanted to play for my father at Colorado,” Michael said. “Being so small made it harder to see if I'd be ready for the Big 12 level. Prep school really helped me get ready for the next level. Also, he took the job here. It was the perfect opportunity for me to come in and see what I could do.” Ricardo, though, had to do some research before the season started. He consulted with several good friends within the coaching fraternity. He talked with Minnesota coach Tubby Smith, who coached both of his sons, and former Tennessee coach Wade Houston, the father of former NBA star, Allan Houston. “My biggest worry was going into the locker room and hearing his teammates mad at his father,” Ricardo said. “Wade Houston talked a lot about that.” Michael figured out an easy plan to combat any negative talk about his father. He doesn't talk negatively about his dad to make sure his teammates keep the locker room banter positive. For Michael, the toughest transition is pleasing his father. Coaching NBA All-Star Chauncey Billups at Colorado, Ricardo places a heavy demand on his point guards. Sometimes Michael gets bludgeoned by criticism from his father. “He's always has been tough on me, he's a disciplinarian,” Michael said. “I love him for it and he's helped me to be tough enough to play for him. But sometimes I get upset or frustrated because I think he's picking on me. I say, ‘You have to give me a chance, I'm a freshman.' Everything starts with the point guard. My teammates know its hard, but at the same time everybody knows it will help us in the long run.” Michael's transition from son to floor leader isn't a problem in the Patton household. He elects to use “coach” for his father around his teammates and “dad” at home. Winning seven games last year, the Huskies don't have a problem with freshmen hazing. The main goal is to establish chemistry and win games. Michael worried that his teammates wouldn't accept him, but Ricardo squashed those fears with several tirades in practices directed at his son. Senior Shaun Logan, the second-leading scorer on the team at 8.8 points per game, said the team initially dealt with a unique dynamic with a new coach and his son joining the program. “Sometimes you don't want to give Michael a hard time because he's the son of the coach and he might run you for it,” Logan said, smiling. “Michael gets it from his dad, so he doesn't have to worry about us giving it to him. But we have asked Michael before what's it like being his son. It's gotta be tough, he won't tell us the whole truth.”

A DREAM COME TRUE Living in the dorms, Michael doesn't make many visits home. Unlike last year, when the Patton family was spread all over the country, the move to DeKalb has brought the family closer. Earlier this year, Michael attended prep school in Pennsylvania, his older brother, Ricardo II, was at Morehouse College in Atlanta. And his mother spent most of her time in Colorado dealing with the house, while Ricardo worked tirelessly trying to fix the Huskie program. Now, Michael is the starting point guard for the Huskies, Ricardo II plays defensive back for Northern Illinois and the family settled into their DeKalb County house. “The family was all over the place six months ago,” Ricardo said. “I'm enjoying having everybody around. I'm happy for the opportunity that both of my sons are here at Northern Illinois with me.” Averaging 7.3 points and taking over the starting point guard following Ryan Paradise's career-ending nose injury, Michael has become a regular contributor for the Huskies. He drilled four three-pointers in NIU's last game, an 86-69 loss at Western Michigan, his third double-digit outing in the last five games. He leads the Huskies with 18 three-pointers, but committed 16 turnovers and dished out nine assists. Michael admitted pleasing his father on the court will take time, but he relishes the opportunity to play the sport he loves for his father. “Playing for my dad is a dream come true,” Michael said. “I used to sit at home or be outside shooting and dreaming about playing for him. Now I'm doing it, that's the best part.” And hopefully play a pivotal part in an upset victory for an early Father's Day present. Reporter Bobby Narang can be reached at bnarang@daily-chronicle.com.

Father-Son Duo

The NCAA boast 13 father-son duos on the men's basketball side, with Northern Illinois being one of those programs. Below is a list of the 13 schools.

Ricardo (coach)-Michael Patton (son) (NIU) Jim - Jimmy Baron (Rhode Island) Mike - Michael Anderson Jr. (Missouri) Bob - Bobby Nash (Hawaii) Matt - Dennis Wolff (Boston) Bob - Brendan McKillop (Davidson) Mike-Logan-Michael McConathy (Northwestern State) Bruce - Steven Pearl (Tennessee) Eddie - Luke Payne (USC Upstate) Mike-Mike Davis Jr. (UAB) Kirk-Drew Speraw (UCF) Joe-Cory O'Brien (Idaho State) Greg-Greg Jackson (Delaware State)