Jodie Meeks

LEXINGTON - Senior guard Ramel Bradley and sophomore guard Jodie Meeks both missed practice again Tuesday and coach Billy Gillispie was not sure about their status for Wednesday's game at Auburn. Bradley has had a viral infection and also suffered a concussion at Georgia Saturday. Meeks missed the Georgia game with a hip flexor injury. "Ramel did not practice today. He looks more alert and looks like he feels better. I don't know what his status will be for tomorrow," Gillispie said.

LEXINGTON - Kentucky freshman forward Patrick Patterson is recovering from surgery on his injured left ankle. Patterson had surgery to stabilize a stress fracture on the ankle in Charlotte, N.C., last week. Doctors say Patterson will be in a cast and crutches for up to six weeks and likely won't be fully healed for four to six months. Patterson was one of the few constants this season for the Wildcats, averaging 16.4 points and 7.7 rebounds in 25 games before being ruled out for the season in late-February.

A large contingent of former University of Kentucky standouts are among those expected to return to Rupp Arena for an exhibition game next month. Kentucky coach John Calipari confirmed the names of former players who have been invited to participate in an exhibition game against the Dominican Republic national team on Aug. 15 at Rupp Arena. According to the Kentucky coach, John Wall, the school's first top NBA draft pick, will be joined by DeMarcus Cousins, Eric Bledsoe, Jodie Meeks, Nazr Mohammed, Keith Bogans, Tayshaun Prince and Rajon Rondo.

Devan Downey hopes South Carolina will see the same type of atmosphere when it hosts Kentucky on Wednesday that the Gamecocks saw last month in Rupp Arena. Of course, he also understands that a raucous home crowd can help the visiting team, because he hit a game-winning shot to beat the Wildcats 78-77 in Lexington. "I just fed off the crowd. It inspired me. I actually liked playing there," said Downey, who had 23 points and four assists on Jan. 31 against Kentucky. "It was loud, just like I expected it would be. The atmosphere was terrific.

He knows his opinion won't be popular in Kentucky because the frenzy new coach John Calipari has created for UK basketball again with his top-ranked recruiting class. Yet college basketball analyst Larry Conley thinks losing guard Jodie Meeks to the NBA will impact the Wildcats more next year than others believe. "Don't get me wrong. I think they will be pretty good. The talent is good and John's ability to coach is a given. I think they will have a very good year," said Conley, a former UK player.

LEXINGTON - Collegiate Hoops 101 is officially in session at Kentucky. Although Perry Stevenson, Jodie Meeks, Derrick Jasper and Michael Porter have been hitting the books since arriving on campus, Kentucky's top four freshmen enrolled in another class here on Wednesday night - a class that brought them to Lexington in the first place. The four earned some rave reviews following Kentucky's two exhibition games, but got their real taste of college basketball in front of a packed house at Rupp Arena against Miami (Ohio)

LEXINGTON - Jarvis Varnado knew what it would take for Mississippi State to beat Kentucky. "We triple-teamed (Patrick Patterson)," the Mississippi State forward said following the Bulldogs' 66-57 win over the Wildcats Tuesday night at Rupp Arena. "We had to, because he's such a great low-post player. " The scheme worked for Varnado and the Bulldogs, who defeated the Wildcats for the third time in a row for the first time in school history. Not only did Mississippi State slow down Patterson, but also limited guard Jodie Meeks' scoring production.

He knows his opinion won't be popular in Kentucky because the frenzy new coach John Calipari has created for UK basketball again with his top-ranked recruiting class. Yet college basketball analyst Larry Conley thinks losing guard Jodie Meeks to the NBA will impact the Wildcats more next year than others believe. "Don't get me wrong. I think they will be pretty good. The talent is good and John's ability to coach is a given. I think they will have a very good year," said Conley, a former UK player.

Kentucky coach Billy Gillispie said there's no change in the status of injured sophomores Jodie Meeks and Derrick Jasper for Saturday night's game at Florida. "There is nothing new on those guys. There is no update," said Gillispie this morning on the Southeastern Conference teleconference. I wish there was something to tell you. They didn't play last time (against Mississippi State) and they didn't practice (Wednesday), so there is nothing new to report. " Gillispie has indicated his players might have realized Jasper, who has been limited to four games, or Meeks, who has played in only six games, might not be coming back to help salvage the season.

ATLANTA -- The first time South Carolina played Kentucky, the Wildcats were missing an injured Joe Crawford but still won 78-70 in Rupp Arena. Five weeks later, the Cats didn't have Patrick Patterson or Jodie Meeks -- who combined for 35 points in the first win -- when they played at South Carolina. However, Crawford answered with a career-high 35 points as UK won 71-63. "It didn't really surprise me they played so well the second time because it comes down to playing hard.