Related Story: Column: Big Blue Nation welcomes Tennessee to Rupp Arena

It finally happened. He finally did it.

Darius Miller finally broke out. He finally became the Darius Miller that UK head coach Billy Gillispie recruited. It also couldn’t have come at a better time. Miller scored a career-high 17 points, without missing a shot, and six assists during UK’s 77-58 victory over Tennessee at Rupp Arena on Saturday.

Sophomore Patrick Patterson returned and scored 19 points and junior Jodie Meeks drew the attention of yet another defense, but it was the play of Miller that had the 24,394 in attendance buzzing.

“Darius was great. That was the Darius Miller we recruited,” Gillispie said during his post-game news conference. “It’s great for a guy like that to have a bust-out game like that and what it can do for you for the remainder of the season.”

Gillispie actually thought Miller would break out against Vanderbilt last Tuesday, even going as far as predicting him to win player of the game. The breakout that Miller had might have gotten Gillispie the most energized as he proceeded to pound the chest of Miller during the under-12 minute TV timeout.

“I’ve never had a coach pound me on my chest,” Miller said.

While Gillispie and the Cats (19-8, 8-4 Southeastern Conference) were celebrating by pounding the chest of his native Kentuckian recruit, Tennessee (16-10, 7-5 SEC) head coach Bruce Pearl was embarrassed by the play of his team, with the exception of another freshman from Kentucky — Scotty Hopson.

Hopson, who hails from Hopkinsville, Ky., scored 14 points in 30 minutes of play.

“I thought that Scotty competed. He has made a lot of improvement and a lot of progress. I thought that Scotty was one of those guys that did keep his poise and certainly belonged out there,” Pearl said. “He is really growing as a player and is a terrific person. He works really hard and as he gets more physically strong, he is going to be special.”

While the two freshmen battled it on the court in Rupp Arena for their respective college teams, Miller said they have only seen each other two times before this season. One came in an AAU game and the other in a high school scrimmage — Miller can’t remember who won.

Despite the comparisons made throughout high school — as both battled for Mr. Basketball, which was won by Miller — the UK freshman said he feels no rivalry between himself and Hopson. In fact, the two keep in touch throughout the season and even had small talk before the game wishing each other luck.

“I didn’t really look at it as a rivalry game against Scotty,” Miller said. “He’s a great player and a great person. But I just wanted to beat Tennessee.”