Nothing meek about Meeks' 39 points

Junior guard 'was just spectacular,' Gillispie says

By Jerry Tipton / jtipton@herald-leader.com

Although Kentucky lost, guard Jodie Meeks' return from an injury-plagued 2007-08 was a triumph.

Meeks excelled on offense and defense in UK's 111-103 loss to Virginia Military Institute on Friday night. He scored a career-high 39 points. That marked the most points by a Cat since Tayshaun Prince scored 41 against Tulsa in the 2002 NCAA Tournament.

Meeks also put a defensive blanket on VMI's three-point specialist, Austin Kenon.

"He's played his heart out every single practice (and) every single time," UK Coach Billy Gillispie said of Meeks. "He was just spectacular."

As is his custom, Meeks downplayed his individual accomplishments. He wrote off his 39 points (previous career-high was 21) by saying, "I do whatever I have to do to help the team. It happened to be scoring."

VMI Coach Duggar Baucom was more effusive. "Meeks was unbelievable," he said. "We couldn't guard him."

Baucom shared Kenon's admiration of Meeks' defense. "Coach, he's under my shirt," Kenon said of his six second-half points.

But three of those points were killers: a three-pointer from the left corner that gave VMI the lead for good with 3:49 left.

Meeks said he mistakenly helped off Kenon. "Sort of a mental breakdown for me," he said.

'Take this to the grave'

Tates Creek High graduate Michael Sparks exulted in his college debut. His VMI team won in his hometown against Kentucky.

"It's fun, man," he said afterward. "It's fun. Victory. It's the highest I've ever been. It's surreal. It's unbelievable.

"I'll take this to the grave with me."

Sparks contributed five points, including a layup that put VMI ahead 104-101 with 2:46 left.

In an interview earlier in the week, Sparks made no secret of the grueling lifestyle of a VMI student.

"People have no concept of what they go through," Baucom said. "They pretty much go through hell for four years."

That hell makes a victory over Kentucky all the more heavenly.

"I asked Sparks, was this worth hell week?" the VMI coach said. "He said, 'Every bit.' "

Although Baucom noted one advantage with the severe lifestyle of a VMI student. Players can't dwell on such satisfying victories.

"When they get on post, they'll get back to reality," the VMI coach said with a smile.

'Soft'

Is there a more damning description than for a player to be called "soft?"

Gillispie used that word to describe UK's many misses from point-blank range.

"We're playing really soft around the basket," he said. "They were tougher than us."

When asked how he felt about using the word "soft," Gillispie said in a quiet voice, "I don't like getting whipped too much. We got whipped."

Etc.

UK had not scored 100 points since a 101-72 victory over Eastern Kentucky on Dec. 23, 2003. ... UK hadn't given up so many points since a 121-110 loss to North Carolina on Dec. 27, 1989. ... VMI flirted with the Rupp Arena record for points by an opponent. Louisiana Lafayette holds it with a 116-113 victory over the Cats on Dec. 23, 1989.