Kentucky Basketball: Ulis and Murray continue to stir the Wildcats drink
Tyler Ulis and Jamal Murray are rounding into a one-two punch that could get Kentucky basketball a return trip to the Final Four.
The Kentucky Wildcats are starting to slowly but surely showing why they are still the cream of the SEC crop. The 78-53 drubbing that UK gave the bubble riding Alabama Crimson Tide is their latest indication that their best basketball is still ahead of them.
There are two players in particular that are leading the Wildcats charge into March Madness and they are soon to be SEC Player of the Year Tyler Ulis and freshman sensation Jamal Murray.
Ulis finished the Tuesday night contest with 19 points and 10 assists and Jamal Murray led all scorers with 23 points on 7 of 14 shooting from the floor. As the season has progressed, both of these players have proven to be the main catalyst for the Kentucky Wildcats success.
Tyler Ulis has easily cemented himself as one of the top floor generals in the country. His impact on the young Wildcats is evident in how he keeps the team organized offensively on the floor and creates shots for his teammates as well as himself.
Kentucky Wildcats
There is no doubt that Ulis is the main reason why Kentucky was able to withstand some of their growing pains from earlier in the season, and is now on a trajectory to be playing their best basketball when it matters the most.
Now, Tyler Ulis is deeply entrenched in the talks for National Player of the Year along with Oklahoma’s Buddy Hield and Michigan State’s Denzel Valentine.
Jamal Murray, who is enjoying his 19th birthday along with this win, is answering the question of “Who is the most impactful freshman in the nation?”.
There would be an argument, and rightfully so, from Duke Blue Devils’ fans that would campaign for forward Brandon Ingram to be the answer. But in all honesty they would not be able to deny the importance of Jamal Murray to the Wildcats success.
Murray is making the impact on the floor that people wish Ben Simmons would make for the LSU Tigers.
He has scored in double-figure in all except one game this season and has scored 20 or more points in his last seven games in which the Wildcats are 5-2.
The 6-foot-5 freshman is showing that he is more than capable of hitting a scoring hot streak that could power the Wildcats when it is money time.
As consistent as Murray and Ulis have been for Kentucky, this team is really at it’s best when Alex Poythress is on the court and getting easy buckets on the interior.
Poythress, who came back from injury in this game chipped in 14 points off the bench for the Wildcats in 17 minutes of work hitting 5 of 6 shots.
Kentucky is capable of having a “Big Three” on the floor if Poythress gets into the mix offensively.
In the end it appears that the Kentucky Wildcats are starting to peak at the right time while dealing a blow to the tournament hopes of the Alabama Crimson Tide.
At least Bama’ point guard Retin Obasohan provided a bright spot for Avery Johnson dropping 29 points on the ledger.
Alabama falls to 16-11 overall and 7-8 in SEC play, but still have hopes of making the tournament if they can rattle off some wins going into the close of the regular season schedule and in the conference tournament.
More busting brackets: 20 Best Home Court Advantages in College Hoops
Kentucky is now 21-7 overall and 11-4 in SED play. They will look to close out their regular season slate strong with road games at Vanderbilt and Florida before finishing up at home against LSU.