Two more in the books

Kentucky posted two more victories, one in the annual Freedom Hall game in Louisville against the Michigan beaters of Appalachia State, and again last night with the trouncing of Tennessee State. The star of the week would have to go to Jodie Meeks, who has really taken his game to another level with unbelievable shooting prowess.

For the statheads, 46 points, 9/12 from three, and 9/10 from the charity stripe against Appalachia State. Then follow it up with 32 on 10/19 shooting two days later in Lexington against a Tennessee State team that put fear into SEC colleague Alabama. It was also nice to see Patrick Patterson chip in another double-double(33 points, 11 boards).

While Meeks did cool off in the second half of the Tennessee State game, one thing is for sure. When Jodie Meeks is hot, he is an All American bar none. However, when he is not on his game, he has to relinquish control or otherwise the Cats will struggle. This is not to take away from his performance over the weekend.

Other items of note, some involving Kentucky recruits:

• Despite the King of the Bluegrass tournament, the biggest attraction was the battle of two Kentucky commits at Memorial Coliseum. Dakotah Euton and Vinny Zollo, similar players with only a year separating them, battled it out with number 1 Scott County prevailing 79-59. Zollo notched a double double with 12 points and 11 boards, while Euton finished with 18 points and 7 boards.
• Another Kentucky recruit did make headlines at the above mentioned King of the Bluegrass. Jon Hood, the top recruit for 2009, notched double-doubles of 36/11 and 35/13. If Kentucky could keep the current team intact with Pilgrim coming in, Hood and Daniel Orton could be difference makers if the team keeps improving.
• In addition, Louisville suffered another loss, this time at the hands of Tubby Smith and the Minnesota Golden Gophers, who are now undefeated. While I was never a fan of Orlando while he was coach here for reasons I listed back last year, he is still a class act and I will pull for him to succeed as long as he is not playing Kentucky. That being said, I believe the Louisville game will serve as a barometer for how we will perform the rest of the season.

If we lose big, we still have a ways to go.

If we can keep it close and still lose, we will have made progress.

If we win, things are really going to be looking up heading into SEC play.

Next game will be against Florida Atlantic on Saturday and Central Michigan on Saturday. It will be imperative for Kentucky to win those games before the Freedom Hall matchup against the Cardinals.

Until next time...