Meeks' 45 points propels Kentucky
Matt Jones
Issue date: 2/16/09 Section: Sports
Jodie Meeks brought his scoring act to Fayetteville Saturday and put on a show for the 19,041 in attendance.
Already having made a name for himself by scoring 46 points against Appalachian State and setting a school record with 54 at Tennessee, Meeks' 45-point outing against Arkansas took down another mark - the Bud Walton Arena scoring record set by Al Dillard in December 1993.
"For as many great players that Arkansas has had, as well as the players that come through here, it's an honor to break the record," Meeks said.
Meeks scored in nearly every way imaginable. There were the contested 3-pointers, the uncontested ones and the one he made despite being fouled (he added the free throw). Then there were stop-and-pops, the highlights reel dunks and for those watching close enough, fantastic movement without the ball to free himself from Arkansas guard Stefan Welsh.
"He didn't do anything differently," Welsh said. "I've been watching him this year just like everybody else."
Arkansas coach and Kentucky alumnus John Pelphrey agreed.
"We were just another defense left in his wake," Pelphrey said. "He has an ability to almost see through you, to not pay attention to you and get shots off.
"He was in a good place from start to finish."
Meeks stepped up in the absence of Kentucky power forward Patrick Patterson, out against Arkansas after suffering a sprained ankle in Tuesday's win over Florida.
"With Patrick being out, everybody had to fill in, especially in rebounding," said Meeks, who added seven rebounds to his scoring effort. "Our big thing was defensive rebounding, blocking them out and felt like if we could push the ball we'd be successful."
Meeks finished the game 17-of-24 from the field and hit 7-of-12 attempts from 3-point range. He was aided by a quick start, scoring 10 points before the game's first media timeout.
"My first couple of threes I felt like I could get in a rhythm," Meeks said. "After my third three I knew I was in a rhythm. But at the same time I tried to stay patient and get my teammates the ball."
Meeks said Arkansas' defense was comparable to other defenses teams have thrown at him this season.
"They were very physical like everyone else has been," said Meeks, who hit a game-winning 3-pointer to down Florida earlier in the week.
"The past month I've been beat up. I think they guarded me the same as other teams and I was just able to hit some shots.
"To set all these records is great, but to get the win is better."
Already having made a name for himself by scoring 46 points against Appalachian State and setting a school record with 54 at Tennessee, Meeks' 45-point outing against Arkansas took down another mark - the Bud Walton Arena scoring record set by Al Dillard in December 1993.
"For as many great players that Arkansas has had, as well as the players that come through here, it's an honor to break the record," Meeks said.
Meeks scored in nearly every way imaginable. There were the contested 3-pointers, the uncontested ones and the one he made despite being fouled (he added the free throw). Then there were stop-and-pops, the highlights reel dunks and for those watching close enough, fantastic movement without the ball to free himself from Arkansas guard Stefan Welsh.
"He didn't do anything differently," Welsh said. "I've been watching him this year just like everybody else."
Arkansas coach and Kentucky alumnus John Pelphrey agreed.
"We were just another defense left in his wake," Pelphrey said. "He has an ability to almost see through you, to not pay attention to you and get shots off.
"He was in a good place from start to finish."
Meeks stepped up in the absence of Kentucky power forward Patrick Patterson, out against Arkansas after suffering a sprained ankle in Tuesday's win over Florida.
"With Patrick being out, everybody had to fill in, especially in rebounding," said Meeks, who added seven rebounds to his scoring effort. "Our big thing was defensive rebounding, blocking them out and felt like if we could push the ball we'd be successful."
Meeks finished the game 17-of-24 from the field and hit 7-of-12 attempts from 3-point range. He was aided by a quick start, scoring 10 points before the game's first media timeout.
"My first couple of threes I felt like I could get in a rhythm," Meeks said. "After my third three I knew I was in a rhythm. But at the same time I tried to stay patient and get my teammates the ball."
Meeks said Arkansas' defense was comparable to other defenses teams have thrown at him this season.
"They were very physical like everyone else has been," said Meeks, who hit a game-winning 3-pointer to down Florida earlier in the week.
"The past month I've been beat up. I think they guarded me the same as other teams and I was just able to hit some shots.
"To set all these records is great, but to get the win is better."
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