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Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 12-21-2014, 11:25 AM:

Tyler is going to get better by the game and by years end be a very special player for the Cats.

ESPN/SEC Network analyst Sean Farnham says freshman guard Tyler Ulis will be a “very important cog” for UK in March.

“He will be big, especially in the NCAA Tournament when the game becomes a half-court game,” Farnham said. “There is just a calming factor when he has the ball in his hands. When he crosses the time line and has the ball, even if he turns it over or there is a bad shot, there is just a calming factor. That is the feeling you get now, so as the season progresses and he gets more comfortable, I think that is only going to improve.”

Ulis will return to Chicago Saturday when UK plays UCLA, and Farnham has not been surprised by his play this season.

“I had high expectations for him coming out of high school. I saw him play on the AAU circuit, so it was not like it was something I hadn’t seen before,” he said. “He has been so good defensively, too. He is smooth offensively, but defensively his ability to move his feet and pick up full court and make you go laterally is amazing.

“It is very rare that you see Tyler get beat in a north-south drive. He is going to make you go sideways and if you do that, you start taking things away and that really helps the back line of the defense as well, even though Kentucky is so big, they don’t need a lot of help anyway.”

Link

Posted by boomdaddy (Member # 2644) on 12-21-2014, 11:53 AM:

Most teams are lucky to have one top notch point guard. This season, Kentucky has two. The year UK was caught without a top point guard, they missed the tourney all together, after their best player and shot blocker hurt his knee.

I do agree with the Analyst that Ulis brings a valuable skill set to the team. But, he is more valuable than that. With the luxury of having two top point guards, UK is in better shape than most teams if refs call a game too close and start piling up fouls on the guards. And, if one of them hurts a hand or an ankle, he can be rested, while the team still has a top PG to run the team.

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 12-21-2014, 02:18 PM:

I really like that Ulis is getting some quality minutes especially with Andrew a NBA talented point playing ahead of him. It's truly amazing how all these talented players are so close and stick together so well. We are blessed fans for sure.

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 12-21-2014, 09:04 PM:

I wouldn't be surprised if he isn't our point guard next year and will be a great asset that will make us a contender again next season.

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 12-21-2014, 09:34 PM:

Yeah, just before Poythress went down, Ulis was the only player on the two platoons that the NBA Scouts didn't have in their top 2 rounds of the draft. Not to say that he won't eventually become an NBA player. It just might take him 2 or 3 years of college before he's ready!

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 12-21-2014, 10:56 PM:

I think because of his size he has to be a little extra talented to make the NBA scouts realize he can play at the next level. Staying a extra year or two will do him a lot of good if that is what he decides.

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 12-21-2014, 11:18 PM:

I'm sure his size is his biggest draw back. He'll get paid to play someday!

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 12-22-2014, 11:52 AM:

In some things size matters. [Wink]

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 12-22-2014, 11:55 AM:

Anytime you are under 6 feet tall trying to play basketball, you better bring all of your skills up another level.

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 12-22-2014, 01:08 PM:

Granted it's hard when your under 6 feet tall but it sure doesn't mean it can't be done.

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 12-22-2014, 01:56 PM:

That's why you have to improve you "Little Man" skills, Dribbling passing, in your grill defense!

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 12-22-2014, 03:09 PM:

If Ulis gets paid for playing basketball he will have arrived and will know all his hard work has paid off.

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 12-22-2014, 03:40 PM:

Oh, he'll get paid. He may end up over seas if he doesn't succeed in the NBA,

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 12-22-2014, 03:56 PM:

Tyler is already getting some national attention. He just might have to play a few years in Lexington first. I hate it for us!

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 12-22-2014, 04:00 PM:

Ulis can stay at Kentucky for 3 more years if he wants. I think his play will dictate when he leaves and Cal will guide him with his decision.

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 12-22-2014, 04:06 PM:

He will be a big part of the program if he stays no matter who we recruit at the point.

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 12-22-2014, 04:14 PM:

It's not bad to have a team leader that will hang around for a couple of years!

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 12-22-2014, 04:15 PM:

This young man has real court smarts. Makes for a great leader!

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 12-22-2014, 07:41 PM:

Tyler is learning a lot from the upper-classmen on how to be a good leader.

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 12-22-2014, 07:42 PM:

I think Booker is learning a lot too and if both stay it would be one heck of a back court.

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 12-22-2014, 08:06 PM:

Remember, these boys aren't even a third of the way through their freshman year.

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 12-23-2014, 12:29 AM:

Yes they are youngsters but they play some mean basketball.

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 12-23-2014, 12:49 AM:

These boy shave played a lot of games in their lifetime already. I've seen some of these AAU teams play more than 50 games during the summer break!

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 12-23-2014, 09:50 AM:

Basketball is these young men's life and it's what makes them so good. They all dream of playing in the NBA and it drives them to reach their goal. You have to give them credit for the desire to succeed.

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 12-23-2014, 03:09 PM:

No doubt, and you can't blame them for earning a living doing something they love to do!

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 12-23-2014, 05:22 PM:

That's why most recruits come to UK. They want the opportunity to play in the NBA and Cal and Kentucky gives them that opportunity. It's a great recruiting strategy that has served Kentucky well.