Kentucky guard Jodie Meeks spotted point guard Michael Porter across the floor and pointed toward the top of the key. Then, in a blue flash, he was gone.
When Porter’s pass met Meeks at the top of the key, Tennessee’s defense was nowhere to be seen. Meeks caught the ball, jumped and swished through another 3-pointer.
It was that way all night long Tuesday at Thompson-Boling Arena. It was Meeks and more Meeks.
Never mind the six defenders who took turns trying to guard him. Meeks reduced them all to irrelevancy in scoring a school-record and arena-record 54 points in Kentucky’s rousing 90-72 victory over the Vols.
Meeks broke Dan Issel’s school-record of 53 points. He also broke the arena record of 49, set by LSU’s Chris Jackson.
Meeks didn’t know about the arena record. But he knew about the school record.
“It means a lot to me to be mentioned in the same sentence with a legend like Dan Issel,” Meeks said. “It’s kind of mind-boggling to me.”
Mind-boggling to him? Imagine how the guys guarding him felt.
Meeks made 10 of 15 3-point tries and 15 of 22 shots overall. He also was 14-for-14 from the line.
And he did most of that within the context of the Kentucky offense, rarely forcing shots against UT’s man-to-man defense. Bobby Maze, Tyler Smith, Josh Tabb, Cameron Tatum, Scotty Hopson and J.P. Prince all took turns guarding to him – to no avail.
Even on those rare occasions when UT managed to cover Meeks, it didn’t prevent Kentucky from scoring.
On one inbounds pass, Patrick Patterson faked a handoff to Meeks, then scored on an uncontested layup.
“Coach (Billy Gillispie) designed that play,” Patterson said. “He said, ‘Maybe I should fake the handoff.’ ”
Two defenders went with Meeks. No one went with Patterson.
Fakes seldom were needed. Getting the ball was simpler and more productive.
In fact, Meeks was so productive, his teammates confessed to turning into spectators on occasion.
“I caught myself watching him a few times,” Darius Miller said. “But it didn’t matter because the ball kept going in.
“I’ve never seen anything like it. It was like every time he shot it, it was going in.”
Meeks’ shots went in with little assistance. He didn’t use the glass – or even need the rim. Instead, it was almost constant net.
Meeks, who leads the SEC in scoring with a 24.2-point average and free-throw percentage (.902), had a previous high of 46 points against Appalachian State. He also scored 39 against VMI and 37 against Kansas State.
“I knew he would knock down jumpers,” Patterson said. “But I didn’t know he would knock down that many.”
No matter how many shots Meeks hit, he didn’t shut up the UT defense, according to Patterson.
“Even in the last minute of the game, they were still talking trash,” Patterson said. “When somebody scores 50 in your gym, I wouldn’t have been talking.
“My mouth would have been shut.”
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.
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Comments » 106
MNP78 writes:
1st
diggerland17#448133 writes:
54 pts! Hey guys how about some D!
razin55 writes:
It was an amazing performance to watch. I was impressed with Tn hustle and team defense for most of the game. But Meeks was just on and he deserves being the #1 story on ESPN. Tyler is amazing as well. He never quits and is the heart and soul of this team
BigOrangeVol writes:
I'm sick of watching our AAU/Rocky Top League ball team. No more trips from Nashville to TBA to pay for sitting through this trash. I can see this garbage every night at the Y for nothing.
dvols writes:
lofton made pearl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
aDAMS GO AWAY
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
Meeks was just lucky guys, he had to throw it up, it was up to him or nothing. Gillespie knows this. The big men couldn't have done it by themselves, and this was true, Meeks just had to throw it up, and when he started he started hitting and one thing just lead to the other, it was just luck. Pure and simple.
newtonrail writes:
It's called rebuilding. No one including Pearl wants to call it that, but when you've got two freshmen and a transfer in the lineup most of the time, that's what it is. I've sat in the stands screaming my head off, but I understand we are were Florida was last year, and apparently they are still rebuilding. Ideally you want to "Reload", but we aren't there yet. And the one doing most of the trash talk: still JA.
dvols writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
RCanaMoonPie writes:
Thanks for the memories Coach Pearl.
And good luck in the NBA.
rusty_shackleford writes:
Amazing how quickly some fans are ready to throw the coach under the bus. Goobers!
From what I saw, it seems like a "perfect storm" scenario: Meeks couldn't miss and UT wouldn't deny him the ball. At some point, the Vols need to decide that defense is worth playing.
tnbigg writes:
Good grief...
shipperman#280095 writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Rockytop98 writes:
No defense, NO excuse!!
GreerVol22 writes:
Lot of truth in BOV's comment here. Bruce better watch out as his honeymoon could quickly be over. To much play in the playboy mansion and not enough time practicing defense. your all thinking it, I'm just saying it.
smokymtman writes:
Trash talk is always lacking sportsmanship...but I guess that is not coached anymore. How someone can run their mouth while they are being blown off the court is a sign of disrespect and should not be tolerated by any coach. Guess we just have a bunch of street ball thugs representing our university.
Waldorf writes:
LOL
What a joke of a team. My favorite part was our answer to guard him was Prince and Hopson.
LOL
Welcome back to Jerry Green basketball boys and girls.
STNVol09 writes:
This team is on deep trouble. Getting 54 hung on you, in your house and then letting the arch-rival beat you by 18 in your own house is similiar to getting beat by 39 on the football field or having 25,000 or so bama fans in the stands. I expected more from this team. If Hobson is an McDonald's All American, then I should try out. Over the past three big games I have seen 4-6 AIRBALLS. In my day, "choke" was the operative word for that type of performance and shooting air balls did not earn you a place in the starting lineup. Hobson is fast becoming the basketball team's version of Crompton. That shows how desperate Pearl is to find a workable combination. Except for Tyler S., this team is effectively LAZY on defense and at the foul line. Wake up guys, quit reading your press clippings and go to work and at least be competitive.
b_neas writes:
You guys kill me talking out of both sides of your mouth. When Lofton used to go off like this and drop 30+ on teams and hit big shots it was him being a great player, not the other team not playing good defense. Now when teams do it to UT it is all because UT does not play defense. Meeks did have some open looks but i bet if you put him out there undefended 8 times out of ten he would have a hard time shooting the ball as well as he did last night. This team is up and down we all know this. They beat solid teams in G'town and marquette. I just wonder if the football team gets back on track and the basketball team gets it together, what will you whiny bunch of nancies ganna b#itch about then? I'm not saying i am happy when they play bad but we can not have a top 10 team every year, and the whiny posts most of you fill this board with do not make it any easier being a Vol fan.
b_neas writes:
The bus driver must not run his route through Virginia. VMI has their own driver, lol
JayTee writes:
Looks like Deja Vu all over again with Don Devoe. Come in as a fire brand coach and a winner. Get a divorce and a new girl friend and the team starts it downward spiral.
Looks like Bruce's mind is on something besides his team and coaching.
john#208876 writes:
You could see this coming, we play no defense, we can't shoot mid-range jumpers - let alone the three, we don't even finish well around the basket; and our trade mark the last couple of years - being able to finish games strong? We were sucking wind down the homestretch. I think the players are not the only ones that have gone soft. If this keeps up it will be lots worse in Lexington.
January 12, 2009
2:05 p.m.
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john#208876 writes:
Jeff Goodman from FoxSports.com wrote "Tennessee is soft like butter. The Vols don't have that toughness that Bruce Pearl's teams have been known for in the past. They look tough and physically intimidating in the layup line, but appear to have no interest in banging on either end of the floor. Unless they start guarding opponents, they'll be a quick out in the postseason." I hope he's wrong but thats pretty much what I see. We were obviously going to miss Chris and JaJuan this year but we miss Ramar and Duke more than I expected.
b_neas writes:
These tough times are good imo. It will help us get rid of the "wanna be poser fans". The true fans will be all that is left. Another thing, if this team were all thugs and such as you guys speak they would be in trouble off the court all the time, they are not. Something that could not be said of Jerry Green's teams.
gslaton#227127 writes:
We're Tennessee, We'd rather talk!!
Basketball_Jones writes:
THIS IS THE PROBLEM WITH THIS TEAM!!!! They play in the Rocky Top league all summer where there is no defense and think their world beaters. I would never put Prince in another game, he can't shoot 3's, free throws, plays no defense, gets very little rebouds...He;s a waste of talent.
As far as last night, there was nothing anyone could do but be amazed. I'm just glad he didn't outscore Tennessee
99gator writes:
looks like the tennessee basketball team now features the mustang package.
unfortunately, so does florida's basketball team.
kpm1234 writes:
Great we are getting killed and our guys still have enough energy to talk smack to a guy that just lit them on fire. This team lacks the spirit of past teams but can be so much more effective, if they just work together and capitalize on their opportunities.
We had a chance last night but once again we let it slip away, if I were a vol b-ball player I would put up or shut up.
mtnsvol44 writes:
Vols talked trash because thats all the talent they had!!! Speaking of trash, just look at all those trashy tattoos on the players. What happened to the clean cut players of the past? They look like street thugs now.
Tnvolsfan4ever writes:
Your game should say what you need to say without you running your mouth. Of course, no one had game on our side for Meeks. Tyler and Wayne need to let these young guys know what it means to be in the SEC. We need leadership.
blitzshoot writes:
Tennesse " We'll make you an All-American - No matter who you play for"
b_neas writes:
Outcoached? lmao.... you telling me that BillyG coached Meeks to go nuts and shoot better than anytime in his life?? That has nothing to do with coaching. UK won and credit to them, but for you to say that has anything to do with coaching makes even you look stupid. Meeks was creating his own shots had nothing to do with anything BillyG was doing.
illinoisvolfan writes:
Perfect observation...
Meeks was, to quote an overused phrase, "in a zone." The only place he didn't hit from was midcourt. But when you allow the leading scorer in the SEC to catch and shoot, a situation like last night is bound to happen.
It's obvious the honeymoon is over for Pearl, as the front runners are out in full force after a few losses. He'll be OK, but the team needs to help him out on the defensive end.
b_neas writes:
Also why are Vol fans putting any faith in what Patterson says? How do we know he is not just trying to stir the pot a little. Our guys may have not been saying anything at all. You stupid vol fans wanna say talking trash is all about the thugs and stuff, reality check. Dane Bradshaw talked more trash than anyone at ever UT and more than most in america. Did you morons call him a thug? or a loser? or trashy?? didn't think so learn your stuff or shut up!
tennisvol writes:
The Vols should have been trying to guard Meeks and the Cats rather than talking all that trash.
MikeHamiltonFan writes:
Jodie Meeks looked incredible tonight, but TN will learn to play defense for all the new guys and will beat UK in Lexington. The doom and gloom is from guys who dont know. TN will not dominate the SEC this year the way they did last year, but they will be very good. Bruce Pearl is an amazing coach, and those who are jumping off the bank wagon now should be marked with a red T for traitor so when they want back on they are shunned.
Do they realize that this same UK team lost to VMI this year? Have some loyalty you idiots...
richvol writes:
Real men have the quite confidence needed to keep their mouth shut and let their playing do the talking...enough said.
OrangePower11 writes:
I'd rather my team get torched on its home court than BE A GROWN MAN LOOKING AT COLLEGE KIDS' FACEBOOK PAGES!!!! Typical Kentucky fan.
b_neas writes:
So every game from now on when Meeks does not have 30+ i get to say BillyG did a poor job of coaching? I think that is what you are saying.
tnbanker_govols writes:
Meeks definitely had the hot hand last night....but we sure didn't make things any harder for him with our swiss cheese defense. Pearl has a unique style that allows the players to kinda play their own game....almost a playground style, almost like controlled chaos.....very fast pace. Anytime UT wins a game it's because they've went on a wild run at the end of the game or they've just outscrapped their opponents. Scrappiness will win some games but it definitely won't bring championships. You look at the good college basketball teams......they're disciplined, they execute the fundamentals consistently, they have a solid defense, and they have someone who can shoot the outside shot. UT has no one who can shoot the three ball. Ut needs a vast improvement on defense and somebody needs to step up from the perimeter.
cjraney writes:
Billy Clyde didn't coach Meeks to put up 54 idiot. What was your opinion when the lead was down to 7?
I did think Pearl messed up by not selling out to deny Meeks the ball. You absolutely can't let one opposing player beat your team. Surely we could rotate 2-3 guys to face-guard him and keep him below 50?
G8er_H8er writes:
This team is a joke. They are like the Washington Generals. Talk about going through the motions. Somebody show some heart and play some defense because you sure can't shoot. Hopefully Hopson will go to the NBA next year. Good Luck with that. We need players like JuJuan, Lofton, and Bradshaw. Not these soft candies. Make an adjustment Pearl. Where would this team be if Tyler Smith wouldn't have transferred or left after last year!?
cjraney writes:
Also, when the lead was down to 7 UK had a post player fouled out and Patterson had 4 fouls. A 7th grader would know to get the ball down low to Chism, Tyler, B. Williams.
Yet there was zero effort to make that happen and unfortunately, that is bad coaching. However, one game does not make Bruce a poor coach, contrary to what these other yahoos are spouting.
b_neas writes:
Dude it has been 3 friggin years. This class is a strong one (according to the experts), but a true freshman class even at UNC does not dominate in year one. Lets wait and look at Pearls work after his has been at UT for 5-6 years.
b_neas writes:
No one ever said he had nothing to do with the victory. But for you to indicate he gets credit for Meeks night is crazy. If he was getting open looks left and right then i would agree, but he wasnt. He was creating his own shots and making contested shots. Great players make coaches look good
redneckerson writes:
"creating his own shots and making contested shots"??? What game were you watching? If that were true this would be slightly less painful. The fact is Meeks came off of screen after screen (because the colts don't have a clue how to defend them) to shoot open 3s - pretty much like every other outside shooter who has had his career night against UT.
CHS52VOL writes:
Shazam!! Anyone get the license plate # of that 18-wheeler that ran over our Vols last night? I think it was KY23.
That popping sound you hear is the noise of parachutes opening as all the fair weather fans hit the silk. Read somewhere once that true happiness results when an individual's expectations equal reality. How realistic are our expectations for this year's Vol BB team? Perhaps we need to readjust them in light of last night's loss. We were not outcoached, and, far the most part, we were not outplayed. We happened to catch a guy on a night when everthing he tossed toward the basket hit nothing but net!
A disappointing loss, but we lost for one reason and one reason alone..can you say 54 points from one guy who had a career night shooting the basketball? It serves no purpose to trash our coach or our players. The only person who is blameworthy is a dude named Jodie Meeks.
As stated before, the Vols are my Hoss if they never win a race.....but they will.
ChattVol2485 writes:
There are several big difference between Dane Bradshaw and the G-Unit we have on the court now...
1. He played with more heart than anyone on the team currently.
2. He cared more about the team than himself.
3. He knew he was a role player, embraced that role, and played hard.
Dane was never the best player on the court. He was never concerned with his future in the NBA because he knew it just wouldn't happen. I'm sure he talked plenty of trash, but at least he had enough pride and respect for the name on the front of his jersey (not the one on the back) to play as hard as possible every night.
Boys and girls, it is far from being over. This is going to be a rough season, but don't lose faith. We still have 15 more games, including a trip to Rupp for some payback, and the SEC tournament.
Go Vols!!!
###
smokyredbone writes:
Look in the rafters, and you will see why we play mens Ball on Pat Summit's court!
Pearl inherited a veteren group and by applying his coaching and scheme took those players to a 31 win season and albeit short lived our first #1 ranking. He has recruited players that fit his scheme, but with so many newbys it will take some time. Give it a rest, if it takes him 3 freaking years before he does that again, it would still only be the second time in 100+ years of basketball history UT has done it. SO, STFU and give him time and support and in return he will give us more wins than we've had in the past 30 years in the next few years!
P.S. Adams is a troll!!!!!
elreytk#224994 writes:
No defense. No heart. No three-point shooters. Major trash talkers. More losses to come.
knoxlawvol writes:
Wow. Being a natural pessemist I thought my reaction to last night's woeful performance was negative, but many of these posts are moronic. Granted, some of our players play soft and stupid at times, but the fact is Meeks scored 54 POINTS!!! For those of you that say it was solely because of poor defense, you either were not there or you don't know jack about basketball. 15 of 22 overall/ 10 of 15 three pointers/ 14 of 14 free throws -- Lofton never did anything like it from my vantage point and it was absolutely incredible. Moreover, many of the misses were in and out from deep with a hand in the face. The late game collapse notwithstanding, we were in the game, and if Meeks only goes 10 over his average (rather than 30) we win the game. Those of you quick to dump on Bruce, and some of your agendas are painfully transparent, need to cheer for Kentucky. Although it appears to me from many of the new volnameX poster names that you are actually obnoxious Pussykat fans just trying to denegrate a coach that gets under your collective skin.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
He also told a 81 year old lady to apply Preparation H with an emery board.
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