Jodie Meeks' unreal 54-point performance against Tennessee last night got me wondering about the most impressive single game performances in U of L basketball history.
Here are the top ten (or 12):
1. Wes Unseld - 45 points vs. Georgetown College on Dec. 1, 1967
2. Bud Olsen - 44 points vs. Kentucky Wesleyan on March 3, 1962
3. Butch Beard - 41 points vs. Bradley on Jan. 14, 1967
4. Charlie Tyra - 40 points vs. Notre Dame on Dec. 22, 1956
5. Charlie Tyra - 38 points vs. Morehead State on Jan. 4, 1956
6. Reece Gaines - 37 points vs. St. Louis on Feb. 5, 2002
6. Phil Rollins - 37 points vs. Eastern Kentucky on Dec. 29, 1955
8. Junior Bridgeman - 36 points vs. Rutgers on March 15, 1975
8. Allen Murphy - 36 points vs. American on March 17, 1973
8. Chuck Noble - 36 points vs. Kentucky Wesleyan on Feb. 5, 1953
8. Charlie Tyra - 36 points vs. Marquette on Dec. 12, 1956
8. Wes Unseld - 36 points vs. Northwestern on Dec. 9, 1967
Seven of these performances came in senior seasons, three when the players were juniors, and two in sophomore campaigns.
Another interesting note: Reece Gaines' 37-point effort against St. Louis during his junior year is the lone performance that took place in the three-point line era.