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2014 point guard Tyler Ulis verbally commits to attend Kentucky

SEC Basketball Tournament - Quarterfinals - Vanderbilt v Kentucky

NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 15: Head coach John Calipari of the Kentucky Wildcats reacts on the sideline during the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the Quarterfinals of the SEC basketball tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 15, 2013 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

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Another top point guard in the 2014 class is off the board, as Marian Catholic (Ill.) product Tyler Ulis announced Friday evening that he will be attending the University of Kentucky. The 5-8 Ulis picked the Wildcats over Michigan State and Iowa, leaving the two Big Ten programs to seek other options at the position. He becomes Kentucky’s second verbal commitment in the 2014 class, joining versatile 7-footer Karl Towns Jr.

Even though Kentucky is still in contention for the services of Tyus Jones (most experts seem to believe he’s headed to Duke), Ulis’ decision to verbally commit to Kentucky is an important development for head coach John Calipari. Anything can happen in sports but the general consensus is that freshmen Andrew and Aaron Harrison will be first round picks in next June’s NBA Draft. Add to this the fact that Jarrod Polson is entering his senior season and it’s clear that UK needed some depth at the point guard position.

Enter Ulis, who isn’t considered to be a “one and done” prospect by scouts but is more than capable of running the show for coach Calipari. As a junior Ulis averaged 22 points, 4.8 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 2.8 steals per game on a team that won 29 games and its first-ever sectional title in 2012-13. He may not be the point guard fans have grown accustomed to seeing Calipari work with in regards to his size, but Ulis is a player Kentucky needed to land given the depth situation they could face in 2014.

As for Iowa and Michigan State, what next? Iowa head coach Fran McCaffery has options at the position, with Anthony Clemmons and Mike Gesell both being sophomores this season. As for Michigan State, the Spartans have Lourawls Nairn on campus this weekend and Ulis’ decision to commit to Kentucky makes the chase for Nairn even more important.

Michigan State loses Keith Appling at the end of the 2013-14 season, leaving them with Travis Trice and Denzel Valentine (despite being 6-5, Valentine did play some point in high school) as possible options at the position next season. Just as Kentucky needed to improve its depth at the position leading into Ulis’ commitment the same goes for Michigan State.

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