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Issel congratulates Meeks on his record night

By Chris Tomasson, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published January 14, 2009 at 2:21 p.m.

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Issel had his Kentucky scoring record broken.

Photo by © AP

Issel had his Kentucky scoring record broken.

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Dan Issel's phone was ringing throughout Wednesday. One of the callers was Jodie Meeks.

After the junior guard had broken Issel's 39-year-old University of Kentucky scoring record with 54 points in a win at Tennessee on Tuesday night, Issel had left a message of congratulations. Meeks called back Wednesday morning.

"He was very humble," Issel said Wednesday. "I'm really happy for Jodie. He's a great kid and obviously an outstanding player."

Issel, who starred for the Nuggets from 1975 to 1985, scored 53 points Feb. 7, 1970, at Mississippi in his senior season. But Meeks eclipsed the record in a game televised on ESPN.

"I watched every minute of it. I told my wife (Cheri) before halftime that he's got a chance to break it," Issel said of Meeks having 26 points at the half. "I guess you probably hope that it's not going to be broken. But, quite frankly, I was surprised that it took 39 years for it to be broken."

Meeks shot 15-of-22, including 10-of-15 on three-pointers. He was 14-of-14 from the free-throw line.

Issel has met Meeks in visits with Kentucky players. During their phone chat, he brought up a similarity between their record nights.

"I told him that, even though I did it at Mississippi, I'll always remember my dad (Robert) being in the stands," Issel said. "In the years to come, you'll always remember your whole family being there."

Before Meeks' big night, Issel had the top two scoring performances in Kentucky history. He also had a 51-point game in 1969-70.

"I remember that I had a pretty good shooting night," Issel said of the night he scored 53. "I do remember we had a big lead and my night was over and I had scored 40 something. But coach (Adolph) Rupp put me back in (to break Cliff Hagan's 1953-54 record of 51 points in a game)."

Comments

  • January 14, 2009

    4:57 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    jersey writes:

    Not surprising to hear seeing how it was Dan. Has always exhibited class on and off the court. With his 3 point shot accuracy which was not in play back in the day he might have scored at least 75 or more.

  • January 15, 2009

    7:54 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    kmeissner writes:

    "class on and off the court"? Didn't he get fired for talking trash to some Mexican guys after a game? haha