Final Four: Ulis talks Iowa, fan ratio

INDIANAPOLIS - Reporters crowded Kentucky freshman Tyler Ulis at his locker Friday afternoon and answered questions ranging from the Wildcats' place in history to a model car in his locker room.

Ulis, a 5-foot-9 point guard, was a two-time all-state performer at Marian Catholic in the Chicagoland area and a heavy target of Iowa Coach Fran McCaffery. Iowa was among Ulis' finalists, along with Michigan State and Kentucky. He chose Kentucky and broke the hearts of Hawkeye fans.

So I asked him (more liked shoehorned a question among all of the more pertinent Final Four questions) about how close he was to choosing Iowa. This is what he said:

'I really liked Iowa, Coach McCaffery,” Ulis said. 'I really liked him, guys on the team. But at the end of the day it was between here and Michigan State because I always grew up around Michigan State. I liked (Coach Tom) Izzo. I really wanted to go there, then Kentucky came in, and I just felt like that was the best for me.”

So I asked if he would have picked Michigan State over Iowa.

'Most likely,” he said.

Ulis had a strong freshman season despite not starting any games. He averaged 24 minutes and 5.6 points. He totaled 134 assists (a team-high 3.7 per game) and only 38 turnovers. He posted a pair of 14-point games this year, against Louisville and Arkansas. He was named to the SEC's all-freshman team, led the undefeated Wildcats in 3-point percentage (41.9) and has not committed a turnover in three consecutive games.

WISCONSIN, KENTUCKY REPRESENT

Based on what I've seen, the loudest game at Lucas Oil Stadium will be the late one between Kentucky and Wisconsin. Indianapolis' streets were crowded all day, from music and festivals to bars filled to capacity. It carries the same electricity as a college football Saturday involving ranked teams and rivals.

The on-street ratio I saw included around 50 percent Kentucky fans, about 35 percent Wisconsin fans and around 15 percent Michigan State fans. I didn't see many Duke fans out and about. Maybe they were studying or too hung over, I don't know.

l Comments: (319) 339-3169; scott.dochterman@thegazette.com