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Michigan State Recruiting: Ranking Tom Izzo’s biggest misses

By Connor Muldowney

Nov 28, 2014; Kissimmee, FL, USA; Kansas Jayhawks forward Cliff Alexander (2) claps and reacts against the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half at HP Field House. Kansas Jayhawks defeated the Tennessee Volunteers 82-67. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2014; Kissimmee, FL, USA; Kansas Jayhawks forward Cliff Alexander (2) claps and reacts against the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half at HP Field House. Kansas Jayhawks defeated the Tennessee Volunteers 82-67. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 19, 2016; Des Moines, IA, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Tyler Ulis (3) reacts in the second half against the Indiana Hoosiers during the second round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2016; Des Moines, IA, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Tyler Ulis (3) reacts in the second half against the Indiana Hoosiers during the second round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /

Quite possibly even a tougher loss at the point guard position in the class of 2014, Ohio-native Tyler Ulis committed to Kentucky over Michigan State. Again, the Spartans were lucky to get a guy like Tum Tum Nairn who is an unquestioned leader, but Ulis would have been a nice addition as well.

While Tyus Jones was a ‘Plan A’ guy, Ulis definitely had to be the ‘Plan A 2.0’ prospect. Izzo has gotten some top talent from Ohio before and he was hoping Ulis would join that group of prospects and pick the Spartans. It came down to Kentucky, Michigan State and Iowa and he ultimately went with his heart and chose the Wildcats.

Playing two years at Kentucky, Ulis became one of the best, if not the best, point guards in the entire country. He was even a finalist for the Wooden Award in 2015-16 and really proved to be small in size but mammoth in talent.

After his freshman campaign, it looked like the former No. 20 prospect in college basketball would be nothing more than a backup point guard with potential to be a starter, but when all of Kentucky’s starters left after the 2014-15 season, he blossomed.

Ulis averaged 17.3 points and 7.0 assists per game as a sophomore, way up from his 5.6-point, 3.6-assist mark from the previous campaign. He has since declared for the NBA Draft and will hire an agent, so his college career is over after two seasons.

Imagine him, Bryn Forbes and Denzel Valentine teaming up in the backcourt in 2015-16.

Next: 5. Jahlil Okafor

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