Perry Stevenson

LEXINGTON - Maybe it was a bit of a gamble, but it was one Mississippi State was willing to take. The Bulldogs came into Rupp Arena on Tuesday determined not to let Kentucky stars Jodie Meeks and Patrick Patterson beat them. That meant that any time Patterson got the ball, they always double-teamed him and often had three defenders surround him - which one reason Patterson had a season-high six turnovers. When Meeks had the ball, guard Barry Stewart stayed glued to him and had help any time a screen was set. So what if that meant leaving open other players?

It's no big secret Jodie Meeks and Patrick Patterson have been carrying the load for Kentucky this season. It's expected of them and a routine habit. Meeks and Patrick Patterson combined for 45 points in the Wildcats' 85-80 loss at Ole Miss Tuesday night, while the rest of the starting cast featuring Perry Stevenson, Ramon Harris and Michael Porter combined for 13 points. Kentucky coach Billy Gillispie has been known to tweak his starting lineup and juggle the players off the bench according to individual performances in closed door practice sessions.

LEXINGTON - Jodie Meeks told Kentucky teammate Perry Stevenson that "he was beat" after Kentucky's win at home over Auburn. He has good reason to feel that way. Meeks has led his team in scoring for Kentucky's last six games, including the 31 points he earned Wednesday at Rupp. Stevenson said he thinks "all the time" about how Meeks and sophomore Patrick Patterson need some help. Even though they make 30 points look easy, he said, it isn't when you do it game after game. Stevenson said he's trying to be that person, and with the 13 points he scored against Auburn, he might be on the right track.

LEXINGTON - A minor right hand injury suffered a couple of weeks ago makes it difficult for Kentucky center Patrick Patterson to get a good grip on the ball. It hasn't stopped Patterson and the Wildcats from getting a firm grasp on first-place in the Southeastern Conference. Patterson scored 21 points and added a career-high 18 rebounds to break out of a mini-slump as Kentucky pulled away from Auburn 73-64 on Wednesday night. Jodie Meeks scored 32 points and Perry Stevenson had 13 points and 12 rebounds for the Wildcats (15-4, 4-0)

LEXINGTON - Even though Kentucky had 34-33 halftime lead, Auburn's player felt good about the way Wednesday's game was going. They were forcing turnovers, had held Jodie Meeks to 11 points even though he hit two early 3-pointers and had made four 3-pointer of their own. Then a transformation happened that is best to let Auburn guard Rasheem Barrett explain. "It was like demons took over or something. They locked in and said they were not going to lose on their home court," said Barrett.

LEXINGTON - Even though Kentucky had 34-33 halftime lead, Auburn's player felt good about the way Wednesday's game was going. They forced turnovers, held Jodie Meeks to 11 points even though he hit two early 3-pointers and made four 3-pointer of their own. Then a transformation happened that is best to let Auburn guard Rasheem Barrett explain. "It was like demons took over or something. They locked in and said they were not going to lose on their home court," said Barrett.

LEXINGTON - Auburn coach Jeff Lebo knows having a healthy Jodie Meeks and Patrick Patterson has given Kentucky the best one-two scoring punch in the Southeastern Conference. However, Lebo might be even more impressed with what the Wildcats are doing defensively going into Wednesday night's game at Rupp Arena. "Kentucky is playing well and they have two terrific players in Meeks, who is playing with confidence, and Patterson, who inside is a handful," Lebo said Monday. "Defensively they are as good as anybody in our league defending.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - This is one time when Kentucky coach Billy Gillispie tried to be funny, everyone knew it. After his Wildcats dismantled Tennessee 90-72 here Tuesday night behind a school-record 54 points from Jodie Meeks, Gillispie was asked his impressions of what he had seen. "I'm really disappointed. We are still looking to try to develop that third scorer," the UK coach said. Third scorer? On this memorable night, UK didn't even need a second scorer much less the third scorer that many have been wondering if the Cats must develop to go with Meeks and Patrick Patterson.