The Best Backcourt (2016 edition)

Backcourt, one of the most important pieces of any team if not the most. They are most important than ever and if we take a look on NBA teams, usually they are the stars of each team. They are the ones who control the tempo, the ones who run the show, the ones who win the games. 
Just take a look on the dominance force of Golden State Warriors, Curry and Thompson are the best backcourt in the world, no one till now is able to find a medicine. Kyle Lowry and DeRozan of Toronto, Chris Paul and JJ Redick, the list goes on and on. Today we will discuss for the best backcourt of NCAA. Tyler Ulis and Jamal Murray.

The Floor General

Name: Tyler Ulis 
Class: Sophomore
Position: PG
Height: 5'9
*Season stats: MPG: 36.9, PER:24.3, PPG: 17.2, APG: 7.2, TO: 1.9
University: Kentucky 

He does not have the size and the all around game of Denzel Valentine or Kris Dunn, but is the one who runs the show like no one else in NCAA.

Most probably you do not expect a player of his size to be so dominant in a game. Immediately your eyes will go on him, you are surprised that you see someone like him on the court. A PG who stands at 5'9 with a wingspan of 6'1 and weights ~ 160 lbs. Ulis body will not blow you but his speed will. One of the fastest PG with an explosive first step. 

Vision and play making abilities, we can write a whole chapter describing how good he is but we will try to sum up. I didn't name him " The Floor General " for nothing, the way he runs the show is amazing great vision, he sees things before they happen. Always he tries to bring his team mates into the game and if the defense change the way they are playing him, he is going to read them, if he cannot pass, he is going to attack and with no fear on his eyes.
What amazes me is the way he dictates the tempo, he can run the team and play a fast tempo basketball or just a control one, I have not seen many players at his age feeling so comfortable with both playing styles. 
He excels in P & R situations or side picks. Many teams were playing him under but he " killed " them with his shoot, if they decide to be more aggressive he can feed the big guy again and again. Marcus Lee, a player with no offensive moves but a really good screener,  is a case in point, he took advantage of Ulis superior passing abilities and in more than few cases he scored after P & R situations.

Another advantage Ulis has, is how good he can read the defense and how good feeling of the time he has, he is not getting anxious to set the play or shoot, he will take his time, read the defense, see things the rest of the players in the court do not see and he will take the right decision. I cannot remember how many times I saw him with the ball on his hands and the clock was counting 8-7-6-5.. and he always takes the right decision. Truly remarkable.

A good shooter also, very good mid-range jumper, good 3-point shooter, additional to all this, he can penetrate and finish near the basket, he is not afraid. He is a perfect example of " Heart over Height " player. 

Now as far as the defensive end is concerned, Ulis is a good defender, very good when he is defending the ball and during full court press cases. His hands are very active. Of course he can be bullied near the post. 

The Scorer

Name: Jamal Murray
Class: Freshman
Position: SG
Height: 6'5
*Season stats: MPG: 35.2, PER:23.1, PPG: 20.1, RPG: 5.1, APG: 2.1
University: Kentucky 

A well known player, a lottery pick in the upcoming NBA draft. I will not go into many details as I went with Ulis.

A player with a good size and length for SG, he actually has a wingspan of 6'7. Additional to his size and length Murray has an excellent frame also. Murray has a really nice first step and his speed is above average. Is a better athlete than it looks, he is so fundamental that you do not understand sometimes that he is a good athlete also.
Many scouters are describing him as a PG, I have to say that he has long to be considered one! He is a SG at the moment.

Murray can score with multiple ways. A very good shooter behind the arc, his shooting technique is nice and he does not need a lot of space or time. Murray moves great between the screens and he is a great cutter from the baseline. Also he has no problem creating his own shoot. 
He knows how to use his size, especially at college level, he can post smaller and not only opponents, he has really fundamental and terrific footwork, one of the best in NCAA if not the best. I expect to see him posting players even in NBA level, his step back jumper is a joy. 
Generally his arsenal is full of moves.

Vision and playmaking abilities are not one of the strength for Jamal Murray. He really needs to develop that aspect of his game. 

As for his defense, in college level he has no issues, he can be considered a good but not a top one, he has the potential to become an even better one, but at the moment, I see him more as a scoring option for an NBA team. 

Backourt 

Both of them, bring something to the floor and their chemistry is great. Ulis is a true general, he can run the show like few out there, he may lacks size, but here comes Murray who has an excellent size for NCAA level. Generally, when you have a passer and a facilitator like Ulis you need someone who can really score and light it up. This guy is Murray. His arsenal is full of moves. 

A dynamic duo, if you let them find a rhythm, be prepared to tear you apart. Ulis and Murray are one of the best scoring duos in NCAA. They are scoring approximately 50% of the points for Kentucky. Two kids with a great future. 

Not sure how far Kentucky will go in the NCAA tournament but it is a joy watching Ulis and Murray playing together.

We have to mention that there is a 3rd player who helps that backcourt excels. It's Briscoe, the pit bull. A top defender. 

Hope you enjoyed the report and looking forward to your comments.

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**Please note the stats are till the game vs Texam A&M 13 of March. 
*MPG: Minutes per game, PPG: Points per game, RPG: Rebounds per game, PER: Player efficient rate, FG: Field goals.