With postseason play almost here, Tyler Ulis continues to be in the running for several major postseason awards.
One of the most prestigious honors any college player can earn is the John R. Wooden Award, which is awarded annually to the college player viewed as the best athlete on and off the court, something no one is questioning that Ulis is.
On Saturday, the Los Angeles Athletic Club announced that Ulis was among 15 players on the John R. Wooden Award national ballot. The finalists are candidates for the Wooden All-American Team, out of which the Wooden Award winner will be selected.
Ulis, a sophomore point guard from Chicago, is averaging 16.7 points, an SEC-best 7.1 assists (eighth nationally) and a league-best 3.6 assist-to-turnover ratio (eighth nationally). He is the only player in the SEC averaging at least 16.7 points and 7.1 assists or better and is one of just four players nationally to achieve that feat.
The 5-9 ball of fire has already set the single-season school record for most 20-point, five-assist games with 12. He's also up for the Bob Cousy Award that's given annually to the nation's top point guard.
Unfortunately, UK freshman guard Jamal Murray did not make the list, despite clearly being one of the best players in college basketball.
Absurd that Jamal Murray did not make the list. One of the ten best players in the country. Period. #barkatbilas https://t.co/G9xSX22WaM
— Jay Bilas (@JayBilas) March 5, 2016
In order to make this list, players must have proven to their universities that they are making progress towards graduation and are maintaining at least a cumulative 2.0 grade-point average.
Voting will take place from March 14 to March 21, and fans may vote through the fan voting site at woodenawardvote.com. The Wooden Award All-American Team, consisting of the nation's top 10 players, and the five finalists for the Wooden Award, will be announced the week of the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Tournament and will be the focus of a 30-minute show March 28 on ESPNU at 8 p.m.