Dec 30, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Jodie Meeks (20) shoots a three pinter over Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier (10) during the second quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jodie Meeks is one of many former Kentucky Wildcats who have gone on to represent UK well on the NBA level. Believe it or not Jodie is now in his sixth season in the league. Six seasons ago he had one of the more epic scoring seasons that we have seen in recent years at Kentucky. Now just keep in mind that he had missed most of the 2007-08 season with a hip injury.
He came back strong all year long in 2008 with 39 in the season opener against VMI. Unfortunately, that was another embarrassing loss during the Billy Gillispie era.
Jodie soldiered on, averaging 23.7 points per game that season.
He reached his crescendo on January 13, 2009 in Knoxville against the Tennessee Volunteers in Thompson-Boling Arena. It would be the last time that the legendary Dan Issel would hold the single game UK scoring record.
It was one of those unforgettable nights for everyone. If you were watching, no doubt you remember where you were when you witnessed the show Jodie put on.
Personally, I was at my house watching in my living room. I had just become a father for the first time on December 13, 2008 so my young son Micah was one month old to the day. I was holding him as I watched the game. Jodie continued to hit shot after shot after shot. Have you ever been watching a game and maybe said half jokingly and half seriously said “If he hits that shot, I’m leaving”?
I didn’t say that phrase that night but I acted it out briefly during the game. I can’t remember exactly which shot it was that Jodie hit, but after draining one of his many three-pointers I got up and just jogged briskly down the hallway and back through the house before returning to the couch in the living room. I never yelled or anything like that, just took a brief jog. My young son was okay by the way. He just looked up at me and looked around. He didn’t seem startled or anything by our quick trip through the house. Maybe he knew what kind of show Jodie was putting on too.
It was a performance we will never forget and a big reason why Jodie made my top ten list of UK players that left Lexington without winning a title.
Congrats again, Jodie. You were truly a bright spot in a dark period of UK hoops.
Cats Played With Fire to Start SEC Play
Wins are wins (Louisville, Duke, Wisconsin and Arizona all lost) and you take them any way you can get them. That is what UK has done in the first two games of SEC play, found a way to win and move on. That said, we all know that they aren’t clicking on the same cylinders that they were during the non-conference portion of the schedule. Pointing this out doesn’t mean we’re not fans or hate Cal or any of that. It’s just calling it like we see it.
Cal has said himself that the team isn’t very good right now. Even we fans and non coaches can see that they are a little out of sync. Some of it is conference play itself, all of the opponents are more familiar with Kentucky much the way that Pac 12 football squads aren’t as overwhelmed by Oregon’s tempo. Teams are relishing the chance to knock UK off.
That’s the case every year of course, but it’s magnified even more with the start this team has gotten off to and some of the beatdowns they’ve handed out. There is also the fact that they haven’t been as smothering defensively and teams are having more success against them in the paint. The Harrison twins have settled for outside shots a little too much and hoped to be bailed out by fouls on drives to the hoop.
Willie Cauley-Stein has been a little quiet the past couple of games overall. He’s made some big plays, but isn’t his usual self right now. Dakari Johnson had a lot of shots swatted back his direction down low against Texas A & M.
Kentucky needs to improve offensively.They need to take better angles on closeouts defensively.They need do a lot of things better. January
— Seth Greenberg (@SethOnHoops) January 10, 2015
Seth is right. As he tweeted the calendar also says January too. All of things will continue to iron themselves out as March approaches.
Enjoy the ride.