Jodie Meeks

Height, weight: 6-4, 208

Class: Junior Hometown: Norcross, Ga.

Role: Alliteratively speaking, Patrick Patterson of the perimeter. The man from outside.

Gillispie says: "By far this fall, he's three, four, five, 10 times better than I've seen him. Hopefully that continues. It's all based on him being healthy. I don't know if he was ever healthy last year."

You've made the SEC's academic honor roll the last two years. What does that mean to you? I take it very seriously. Because of the stereotype of athletes, some people think they don't take grades seriously. Or they just play around in classes. I take it seriously just to show people I'm not one of those stereotypical (athletes).

How long have you felt this way about academics? I always have. When I was little, my parents made me do homework before I could go out and play, before I could do anything: Make sure you get your work done. That mentality I take with me still: Make sure you get your work done and the best grades possible.

How much did you fight your parents about this? I was always pretty obedient. I was tempted to go out, but my parents tried to make it a priority to get the work done. So when you get older, now that I'm away from home, I still have the mentality to do it.

Why did you choose business marketing as a major? I like computers. My dad works for IBM. I like the marketing classes so far.

Let's not leave the impression that you're always serious. Don't you do an impression of Billy Gillispie? (Laughs nervously.) I don't know about that. A lot of people on the team do. We respect him as a coach.

Of course. But isn't it important to use humor to deal with issues on or off the court? I think it is. It's not always going to be bright lights and everything's perfect when you're playing basketball in college. A good personality kind of helps out in the tough moments in the season.

Have you done your Gillispie impersonation in front of Gillispie? (Laughs) Nah. Nah.