In one of the most forgettable seasons in recent memory, Jodie Meeks gave UK basketball fans something they would always remember.

The Cats started their season with a shocking Rupp Arena loss to Virginia Military Institute and finished it having missed out on the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1991.

But, on a January night in between, Meeks put on a shooting exhibition at Thompson-Boling Arena and, for two mesmerizing hours, none of the struggles seemed to matter.

The UK junior scored 54 points to break Dan Issel's single-game record and broke another UK mark with his 10 three-pointers, many of which came with a hand in his face.

"Kind of mind-boggling to me," Meeks said.

The rest of the season was just as special.

Meeks hit a clutch three-pointer to beat Florida a month later and dropped 45 points at Arkansas four days after that.

He finished the year with a single-season school record for three-pointers (117) and the second-highest point total in a season (854) in school history (Issel had 948 in 1969-70).

Meeks decided to forgo his senior year at UK for a shot at the NBA and was chosen in the second round by the Milwaukee Bucks.

Ben Roberts