People are starting to recognize Ramel Bradley's clutch play for Kentucky this season. His performance at Tennessee on Sunday generated talk about Southeastern Conference Player of the Year.

When asked on a teleconference Monday about Player of the Year candidates, Florida Coach Billy Donovan listed the usual suspects: Chris Lofton, Tyler Smith and JaJuan Smith of Tennessee. Shan Foster of Vanderbilt, Jamont Gordon and Charles Rhodes of Mississippi State.

Then Donovan added, "A guy who's had a phenomenal year who not a lot of people are talking about is Ramel Bradley. ... He's played so well. He's the one guy that's held their team together. He certainly deserves consideration."

UK's gutsy 63-60 loss at Tennessee showcased Bradley's contributions. As the Cats played without star freshman Patrick Patterson, Bradley led the team with 17 points. He spearheaded a defensive effort that limited Tennessee star Chris Lofton to a season-low five shots. He guided a Kentucky attack that dictated a patient, half-court game that favored the short-handed Cats.

"He was in control of the tempo of that basketball game," Tennessee Coach Bruce Pearl said, "and played very, very well."

South Carolina Coach Dave Odom, an unabashed Bradley fan, noticed.

"Let me put it this way: If you lose a Patrick Patterson, you better have a Ramel Bradley on your team to pick up the slack outside and control the basketball," said Odom, whose team plays Kentucky on Wednesday.