BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Freshman Tyler Ulis (pictured) was named the Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week following a career-high 14 points against Louisville on Saturday. The honor is the first of the Lima, Ohio, native’s career. He is the fourth different Wildcat to earn a weekly honor this season.
Ulis was named the Bluegrass Sports Commission Most Valuable Player after leading Kentucky to a 58-50 win against fourth-ranked Louisville in the team’s first road contest of the season. Ulis scored a career-high 14 points, including a pair of second half 3-pointers to lead the Wildcats in scoring in the victory to remain a perfect 13-0 on the year.
Ulis’ previous career high was 12 points against Buffalo in the second game of the season. It marked the first double-figure scoring effort of his career against a top-25 ranked opponent. He also dished out two assists with zero turnovers, while playing in a career-high 26 minutes of action. The five made field goals also marked a career best. With the two 3-pointers against the Cardinals, he has drained at least one from long range in a career-long three straight games.
With Ulis earning Freshman of the Week honors, all four of UK’s first-year players have garnered at least one weekly honor this season. Trey Lyles claimed the honor following the opening week of action. Karl-Anthony Towns was tabbed the league’s top performing freshman in consecutive weeks to begin the month of December, and Devin Booker earned the same honor following a 19-point effort over UCLA.
Kentucky will return to the floor on Jan. 6, 2015 to begin SEC play. UK hosts Ole Miss at 7 p.m. ET on the SEC Network.
Photo by Jamie H. Vaught
