John Clay’s Sidelines

Photo by Pablo Alcala.

Some UK player assessments after the 93-69 win over Appalachian State:

• Jodie Meeks: Billy Gillispie called his junior guard incredible after Meeks made 14 of 21 shots, including nine of 14 three-pointers and nine of 10 free throws. Meeks scored 24 points in the first half. It was the most points by a Cat in Freedom Hall, topping Mike Pratt’s 42. It was the sixth most points by an individual Cat in UK history. Meeks admitted his defense was not the best, but he sure was hot on the offensive end. In three career games at Freedom Hall, Meeks has made 20 of 35 shots, including 15 of 28 three-pointers.

• Patrick Patterson: He tied his season high of four blocked shots, but Gillispie was not crazy about Patterson’s defensive effort. Offensively, the sophomore scored 19 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Made just six of 13 shots, first time since going 4-for-10 against Delaware State that he has been under 50 percent from the floor. Patterson did make all seven of his free throws, his best accuracy showing as a Cat on that many attempts.

• A.J. Stewart: The sophomore played a season-high 15 minutes, scoring a season-high nine points. That’s his most minutes since 21 at Alabama back on Feb. 9 of last season. The nine points are Stewart’s most since scoring 10 against Liberty on Nov. 21, 2007. Gillispie’s only complaint was that Stewart made too many “not-thinking” plays.

• Ramon Harris: Good to see the junior back on the floor, even if it was for only nine minutes after that frightening collision with Michael Porter in Lamar game. Harris’ defense was such that Gillispie cracked that Appalachian State might not have scored in the first half if not for Harris. Ramon said it wasn’t a case of being rusty, just a case of him not focusing enough when in the game.

• 

  Photo by Pablo Alcala.

  Michael Porter: Contributed five assists and just one turnover in 20 minutes. His five assists matched his season-high in 13 minutes against Kansas State. His career high for assists is seven, also at Freedom Hall last year against UAB. Porter grabbed two offensive rebounds. He came into the game with just three for the year.

• DeAndre Liggins: The freshman scored just two points, the first time in five games he had not hit double figures. Did not attempt a three-pointer. Made a career-high three steals.

• Perry Stevenson: The junior was 3-of-7 from the floor after going a perfect five-for-five against Indiana. Blocked three shots. But the highlight was Stevenson’s three-pointer, the first of his career. The Louisiana native had never attempted a three pointer before in college. He tried three versus ASU, making one.

• Kevin Galloway: Started and played 12 minutes, dishing four assists in those 12 minutes. Earned praise from Gillispie for helping Cats get off to a good start.

• Darius Miller: The freshman had four assists and no turnovers in 19 minutes. Miller has not grabbed an offensive rebound since the Miami game.

• Josh Harrellson: Played a season-low two minutes, both at the end of the game. Afterward, Gillispie said that Harrellson had not been practicing well and said that going through final exams this week could have been a problem. But the coach said that on this team there were too many players to slack off at practice and still want playing time. Even brought up the Lou Gehrig/Wally Pipp scenario. Word around UK camp was that there may have been more involved with Harrellson’s lack of playing time, but Gillispie wasn’t saying.

• Landon Slone: After playing 16 minutes versus Mississippi Valley on Dec. 7, the walk-on has played just seven minutes since, including two against Mississippi Valley.

• Jared Carter: Has played 17 minutes through 11 games thus far this year. Through the same number of games last year, Carter had played 32 minutes. Blocked a shot versus Appy State giving the 7-footer three blocks on the year. Carter blocked just four shots all of last season.