Ullis Best Cal PG at UK

LowCountryCat

Heisman
Apr 17, 2010
117,188
22,769
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with all due respect to wall and knight. tyler ullis is the best point guard cal has had at uk. plays the position the way it's supposed to be played.

always in control of the tempo. sees things before they happen. sets others up. makes the tough basket when needed.
Amazing. His last name only has four letters, none of them are repeated, and you still got it wrong. You actually worked harder to spell it wrong than if you'd gotten it right.
 

BBUK_anon

Hall of Famer
May 26, 2005
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Ulis is a more polished point guard as a sophomore three games into the season than Wall as a freshman three games into the season. If Tyler keeps up that level of play, he will become the focus of the opposing defense. We'll have to see how he performs with that sort of attention.

I will say if Tyler attracts that sort of attention, Murray and Briscoe will have very satisfying years.

If the other teams defense focus' on Ulis they will only be able to do that for about a minute. (Think about that.) There is no way the other team can focus on Ulis...now or ever this season. What in the world will teams do if the focus to Ulis opens up Briscoe just a little bit....you get the mouthguard shimmie, if it opens up Murray just a little bit....you get mortally harmed, if it opens up Lee just a little bit, you get put backed, lobbed, and blocked to death, if it opens up Poy just a little bit (even in his healing state) you get put backs, slams, juke's, and an occasional three, if it opens up Skal...., if it opens up Humphries..., if it opens up Matthews...(Matthews will be there.) (Wow what a run-on sentence...)

Think about the above and figure out how any team playing could focus on Ulis... (I know you gave a caveat but I had to post.) be Good
 
Jan 3, 2003
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Ulis is better. I think he is the best PG UK has had in my 46 years. Wall is a better all around talent, no doubt. Knight too. But those are 2 different things.

I also think Murray may be the most talented guard at UK in my 46 years, and one of the 4 most talented players during that time.
 

StubbornPenny

All-American
Nov 2, 2009
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Obviously players like Wall and Knight have the better overall outlook. Even the worst NBA teams have very good athletes at every position, so being a pro PG leans more towards the "create with athleticism" side of things. There's rarely a glaring weakness. That's why the pros favor length and athleticism for their PGs, even if they sacrifice a bit of "true" point guard instincts. Wall is certainly the upper end of that, having more PG skills than most, but I hope you see what I'm saying

Ulis fits the college game better where outright athleticism isn't as important as breaking down an opponent's weaknesses. Even the best college programs usually have a chink in the armor somewhere. Ulis found it against Duke, they could not stay in front of him. He ate his man alive. If he'd hit his threes, he'd of had an even more monster game.

Wall certainly is the better player. But sometimes a less talented player who can make a team gel is just as, if not more important.
 

UKrazycat2_rivals

All-American
Apr 13, 2009
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Amazing. His last name only has four letters, none of them are repeated, and you still got it wrong. You actually worked harder to spell it wrong than if you'd gotten it right.

We have a few on here that put the double L in there every time. It's not that difficult to get right after seeing it on here for going on 2 years. And it's been pointed out on numerous occasions.

Makes me want to use inappropriate language when I see it, because Tyler deserves better. JMHO.
 

kybassfan

Heisman
Jul 1, 2005
20,032
16,368
113
If the other teams defense focus' on Ulis they will only be able to do that for about a minute. (Think about that.) There is no way the other team can focus on Ulis...now or ever this season. What in the world will teams do if the focus to Ulis opens up Briscoe just a little bit....you get the mouthguard shimmie, if it opens up Murray just a little bit....you get mortally harmed, if it opens up Lee just a little bit, you get put backed, lobbed, and blocked to death, if it opens up Poy just a little bit (even in his healing state) you get put backs, slams, juke's, and an occasional three, if it opens up Skal...., if it opens up Humphries..., if it opens up Matthews...(Matthews will be there.) (Wow what a run-on sentence...)

Think about the above and figure out how any team playing could focus on Ulis... (I know you gave a caveat but I had to post.) be Good

And that was kinda my point. It will be tough to single him out as the perimeter will have more options that just Tyler. He can be stopped, but the options for doing that are pretty poor if he's having a good game. I thought a bit last night about what I would do if I had to face him as coach. Clearly, playing him straight up allows him to use the other four players to hurt you, so that doesn't work. Make no mistake, that is Ulis' strength. He will kill you with his teammates. Kry admitted as much. I'd probably adopt the LSU/Arkansas approach, particularly if I had some bruising guards. Post him up. Knock him down every chance I got. It worked decently well during the SEC championship last year. The thing, we have other guards that are really good. If you take him out of the game (figuratively, not physically), you just open yourself up. Tyler is really tough too.

The other thing about the game that we haven't really seen discussed is the front line. Skal was playing like a freshman in his third game. Poythress is really not at 100% defensively nor athletically on offense. Skal represents a huge option to a penetrating guard when he gets some more games under his belt.. Poythress takes a lot of risk out of a guard operating at the rim when he's at 100%. He almost totally negates an offensive player as well.

My next statement will knock you in the floor. When looking at the game as a whole, I don't think we played that well as compared to our potential. We can and will play much better as the season progresses. Calipari not only got his win. He got a lot of teaching moments out of that game.
 
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Ugoff

Heisman
May 7, 2009
16,403
21,489
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What Ulis lacks is size and lenth, he more than makes up for in smarts and efficiency. Love to watch him run the offense. Ulis may go down as my favorite player ever to put on the Kentucky blue, and I'm going back to Kevin and Jimmy Dan.
 

.S&C.

All-American
Jul 8, 2014
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If Ulis was 6'4 and playing like this he would be on the cover of SI monthly.
He will just continue to shock the world all the way to #9.

If Ulis played like that at 6'4 he might end up being one of the greats all time.
 

.S&C.

All-American
Jul 8, 2014
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Good lord, he's only three games into his tenure as a starter. I'd suggest waiting until we've a broader sample size before we start comparing "measurables."

Tell me you wouldn't like to go back to the Wisconsin game and put him in during those 3 clock violations? Of course we all would.

There's nothing to wait on. Ulis isn't going to forget his game, and with the finishers we have, you can't just focus on him. Enjoy it.

Wall was ejected in the elite eight. It ends there.
 

ToniTonyToneDelkDelkDelk

All-Conference
Feb 20, 2007
2,487
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IMO....for what a classic pg's job should be:
1.) Get other's involved.
2.) Play tough defense on other team's guards.
3.) Hit key shots

It is Ulis at the top now.

And up until this point it was Marquis Teague.

Yep, I know many don't like him. Thought he should've stayed another year. He's currently not in the League. Blah blah blah... but for that one year he turned around the most from beginning to end.

Marquis played great defense, made few mistakes, and hit shots when he was called upon.

Now those are just the best point guards. Obviously Wall was a better player, but was limited by his lack of an outside shot, gambling on defense and turnovers. Knight was a better player too, but couldn't generate much off of the dribble due to a limited handle. And Andrew was great as well, and brought a certain toughness to the team that we haven't had at that position in a long time.
 

Johnfarrel

All-American
Oct 9, 2001
5,406
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Ulis had a flawless line leading UK in points with 18, assists with 6 and had zero turnovers in 40 min v the 5th ranked team in America on a neutral court.

Let that sink in.
One of the best performances for a point guard I have ever seen. Duke's defense was seriously lacking, but zero turn-overs for a point guard is fantastic.
 

BBUK_anon

Hall of Famer
May 26, 2005
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And that was kinda my point. It will be tough to single him out as the perimeter will have more options that just Tyler. He can be stopped, but the options for doing that are pretty poor if he's having a good game. I thought a bit last night about what I would do if I had to face him as coach. Clearly, playing him straight up allows him to use the other four players to hurt you, so that doesn't work. Make no mistake, that is Ulis' strength. He will kill you with his teammates. Kry admitted as much. I'd probably adopt the LSU/Arkansas approach, particularly if I had some bruising guards. Post him up. Knock him down every chance I got. It worked decently well during the SEC championship last year. The thing, we have other guards that are really good. If you take him out of the game (figuratively, not physically), you just open yourself up. Tyler is really tough too.

The other thing about the game that we haven't really seen discussed is the front line. Skal was playing like a freshman in his third game. Poythress is really not at 100% defensively nor athletically on offense. Skal represents a huge option to a penetrating guard when he gets some more games under his belt.. Poythress takes a lot of risk out of a guard operating at the rim when he's at 100%. He almost totally negates an offensive player as well.

My next statement will knock you in the floor. When looking at the game as a whole, I don't think we played that well as compared to our potential. We can and will play much better as the season progresses. Calipari not only got his win. He got a lot of teaching moments out of that game.

I stated that in a post last night. These kids are absorbing so quickly. They are acting like vampires and just taking everything. (I know it is a dumb way to put it.) Oh and Tyler is a true pit-bull. If he's scared of anything I haven't seen it yet. His do or die attitude will rub off sooner than later. I saw that last night during his interview. The players are hanging onto that "little" guy like he is 7'6" and 400 pounds. I love it.

Oh and don't think I was bashing your post. Just sort of enforcing it/ re-enforcing it.

I think Ole Tyler will thrive in the NBA...who knows how long but he will earn some dough and good dough.

Just really enjoying the UK and Cal environment....It's a blessing...
 

Nubb16

Heisman
Jun 30, 2005
128,718
10,043
67
Wall did set up teammates. 16 times in one freaking game actually. Wall was an amazing passer ball handler. He was turnover prone because the pace he played and his willingness to make flashy plays. Wall is hands down better than ulis will ever be more than likely. I love ulis. But wall averages almost seven assist a game and was just unreal good and was a pure point from day one and still is in the league. Ulis is the best decision maker under cal. I'll agree with that. Kid just doesn't make many mistakes
 

BBUK_anon

Hall of Famer
May 26, 2005
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Wall did set up teammates. 16 times in one freaking game actually. Wall was an amazing passer ball handler. He was turnover prone because the pace he played and his willingness to make flashy plays. Wall is hands down better than ulis will ever be more than likely. I love ulis. But wall averages almost seven assist a game and was just unreal good and was a pure point from day one and still is in the league. Ulis is the best decision maker under cal. I'll agree with that. Kid just doesn't make many mistakes

And still performs at a high level....
 

UK90

Heisman
Dec 30, 2007
31,460
27,816
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Tell me you wouldn't like to go back to the Wisconsin game and put him in during those 3 clock violations? Of course we all would.

I would've rather had Tyler in that entire Wisconsin game, not just on those three possessions. No offense to Andrew Harrison, but I just much preferred the way Ulis ran the point the entire season last year. Something I believe Cal even admitted when he made that recent "stuck with Andrew out of loyalty" comment.

That said, I stick by my point that it's WAY to early to be making statistical comparisons between Wall and Ulis, when the latter has only started three games. Ulis is wonderful--kid plays the point the way god intended point to be played--but let's not get carried away with the these "best ever" type pronouncements yet. Long season, with lots of peaks and valleys, left to be played.
 

kybassfan

Heisman
Jul 1, 2005
20,032
16,368
113
I stated that in a post last night. These kids are absorbing so quickly. They are acting like vampires and just taking everything. (I know it is a dumb way to put it.) Oh and Tyler is a true pit-bull. If he's scared of anything I haven't seen it yet. His do or die attitude will rub off sooner than later. I saw that last night during his interview. The players are hanging onto that "little" guy like he is 7'6" and 400 pounds. I love it.

Oh and don't think I was bashing your post. Just sort of enforcing it/ re-enforcing it.

I think Ole Tyler will thrive in the NBA...who knows how long but he will earn some dough and good dough.

Just really enjoying the UK and Cal environment....It's a blessing...

No bashing assumed. Good points all.

I don't know about Tyler in the NBA. I'm not saying he won't do well. However, there are guys from 6-3 to 6-7 that can do all he can do. I believe it will be a very difficult transition for him. Not impossible but difficult. We'll just have to wait and see.
 
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BBUK_anon

Hall of Famer
May 26, 2005
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No bashing assumed. Good points all.

I don't know about Tyler in the NBA. I'm not saying he won't do well. However, there are guys from 6-3 to 6-7 that can do all he can do. I believe it will be a very difficult transition for him. Not impossible but difficult. We'll just have to wait and see.

In this instance I think Cal makes the difference (again) as Ulis is learning from the best...I think it will translate...well.
 

Kycatspaws

All-American
Jan 2, 2010
156,447
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revcort

Heisman
Feb 20, 2003
32,522
30,904
113
Well, to say Ulis is the best point guard under Calipari is a HUGE statement to make.

I will say this- if we're talking about a COLLEGE point guard, you could probably make the case at some point, assuming Ulis continues to play as well as he did last night for the rest of this season. But today is November 18 and Ulis has just started his 3rd game, so it's premature. The crazy thing is Ulis hasn't even shot the ball well yet, at least not from 3pt range. That will come, I think, but Wall didn't shoot it well at all outside about 10-12 feet. And then to compare him to Brandon Knight, well, that's gonna be a tough comparison. He's a better distributor of the basketball than Knight. He's not a better scorer than Knight. He's a better floor leader, has better court vision, and is a better defender than Knight. But he's not a better athlete than Knight and can't get his own offense like Knight could.

But the best thing of all, in my opinion, is that this thread is even a possible conversation. It means we've got a great point guard leading the team this season. Ulis was unbelievably good last night in a crazy atmosphere and against a good opponent. I wouldn't trade him for any other point guard in college basketball this season.
 
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