Jodie Meeks Scores 54 Points, Breaks Kentucky Scoring Record

Jodie Meeks is a baller. He was AJC Player of the Year. He averaged 23-plus points as a senior in high school. In college, he made the 2007 All-SEC Freshman Team and All-America Freshman Team. And he's only 21. But Tuesday he reached a new level, as scored the most points in a single game by a player in the University of Kentucky history. (Meeks also broke the record for most 3-pointers made in a game, with 10.)

This is no joke, folks. Kentucky, as you may or may not know, is kind of a decent basketball school. They had this guy named Adolph Rupp. He did okay. And Rick Pitino (who can't even hold a candle to Rupp) still managed to become a college basketball legacy in the Bluegrass State.

So when Meeks scores 54 points against Tennessee on a single night in Knoxville and manages to steal away Billie Gillispie's questionable job and turn it into a historical celebration for UK (not to mention a huge win over a conference rival) it probably behooves all of us to stand up, recognize and throw a little DAP towards Jodie's way.

And the crazy thing is ... all he said after the game was "I never got a win here". Touche, Mr. Meeks. Touche. When someone shatters a superpower NCAA school scoring record (Meeks broke Dan Issel's 53-point mark) and cares more about beating Tennessee in their home arena, well, you probably deserve the record.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

1-13-2009 @ 11:50PM

JayQuo said...

Damn right he deserves it. GO BIG BLUE

1-14-2009 @ 12:38AM

Dean Loughmiller said...

He not only deserves the school record, he deserves to be the college player of the year. He has the right character, specifically his humble attitude, to be admired by his peers. Did you see how much his teammates appreciated him? I hope he never looses this precious characteristic. Our youth needs more sports figures like him to look up to and emulate.

DAn Villeky said...

If there is an uglier color than the Tenessee Orange it hasn't yet been formulated.

1-14-2009 @ 1:09AM

The Fake Gimel Martinez said...

"steal away Billie Gillispie's questionable job"

Um, are you referring to the previous grumbling about Billy Gillispie's tenure at UK? Really, there hasn't been any grumbling since the UNC loss. Even losing to Louisville found Wildcat fans confident in the Coach.

1-14-2009 @ 1:21AM

ToddPaintsville said...

The only thing uglier than UT's attempt at defense is your pitiful attempt at writing an article about it. The grammar is horrible disjointed and overall just convoluted. I am definitely no english teacher but dang. I wouldn't say anything if it didn't look like a full on attempt at sportswriting, so I offer my critique free o' charge. By the way MEEKS is a beast! Finally UK can hit free throws again, what a difference that makes, huh?

1-14-2009 @ 4:28AM

trent said...

I live in ky and yes its kown to be a basketball school . # 1 in all time wins in the ncaa . nice record this year but why the H are they not rated ? 14 & 4 and not in the top 25 ? Oh well.....

1-14-2009 @ 8:24AM

D Wilson said...

I hope this is a sign of things to come it has been a while since my Wildcats have been a national power maybe this is a start. GO BIG BLUE

1-14-2009 @ 8:44AM

Allen Collins said...

We just need a few more men to make up for the last five years of Tubby Ball. If tubby was still hear Meeks might have got to shoot five times after they passed the ball fitteen times. Go Jodie you worked for it now is your time.

1-14-2009 @ 9:42AM

UKFOOTBALLzzz said...

WOW! Who recruited Meeks? Oh, it was Tubby, and I had no idea Minn was in the top 20. I guess the guy can recurit and coach. I had no idea.

1-14-2009 @ 9:56AM

Phil said...

Meeks was Kentucky's best player as a freshman but Tubby didn't give him the freedom to do his thing. Last year he was injured all season long and wasn't 100%. This year, with Ramel Bradley and Joe Crawford gone due to graduation, Meeks is free to do his thing and he is healthy as well. He is also Kentucky's BEST defensive player. The guy is a PLAYER!! He's definitely a candidiate for 1st team all-american. He's the real deal. He played a great game last night but he's been consistly good all year. GREAT compliment to Patterson in the middle. KY basketball on its way back folks.

1-14-2009 @ 10:38AM

ken said...

great job jodie go big blue

1-14-2009 @ 11:29AM

S Wilson said...

GREAT JOB JODIE,you deserve every bit of it.If its good for the team to win,break them all.

1-14-2009 @ 12:20PM

UKChris said...

You idiots trying to bash Tubby for Meeks play as a freshman obviously don't remember a damn thing about Meeks' freshman season. Not a thing. So just stop talking about it. I'm talking to the dumbass Phil and the moron Allen Collins.

Just stop talking UK basketball because you obviously can't do it correctly. In other words, STFU.

1-14-2009 @ 3:53PM

Al said...

Chris you need to calm down it's just BASKETBALL.You can get a good deal on a home in Minnesota right now then you can be close to your man TUBBY.

1-15-2009 @ 9:33AM

jjmich6 said...

i was at this game and i couldnt believe what i was seeing, i go to university of tennessee, but by the end we were all rooting for him to score as much as he could

1-14-2009 @ 5:27PM

Poor Chris i feel real bad for him,he lost his best friend when TUBBY went to that big ICE HOUSE up north. Chris you might want to buy a home in Minnesoto right now they should be cheap with the weather up there. Than you would be close to your MAN slow down an pass TUBBY. LOL

1-15-2009 @ 1:58AM

FRANK said...

The team that will WIN the MENS NCAA BASKETBALL TOURNY will be from the BIG EAST. I can believe what Im seeing this is a perfect example why pre-season ranks are garbage North Carolina belongs in the middle of the ACC they are overrated I mean we all know that Tyler Hansbourgh will not be a center in the NBA.. Leaves what PF...LOL Look it I like how Tyler brings intensity to the basketball court and plays with 100% emotion but see the thing is, is that they arent going to win ACC tourn and WILL NOT win NCAA TOURNY. But i will tell you has a shot since were asking about who has the best shot........ Welcome in The Big East Champs and the only school to win both mens and womens basketball championships............. The Uconnn Huskies ........... Say what you want about then but they dont hide from big intensity games they are scared of fast tempo game

1-16-2009 @ 2:33PM

Travis said...

Here it is Friday and I'm still stunned by the accomplishment. Meeks' 54 is the greatest single player performance I've seen in my life. Ever since he decided to slow down and start making good decisions he has been putting up great numbers and playing the best ball by a UK player since Tayshaun. If he keeps up doing what he is doing he'll definitely be a front runner for First Team All-American and in the mix for National Player of the Year. Tuesday night was a night of great honor and appreciation for UK basketball. I couldn't be more proud!