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After UK head coach John Calipari picked up two technical fouls and was ejected just two minutes and 26 seconds in to Saturday’s game, one might think the Cats would lose composure and drop yet another conference road game.

But the Cats had another coach that rallied the team.

The team’s on-court coach, 5-foot-9 point guard Tyler Ulis, brought life back to a Cats’ squad that seemed flustered at Calipari’s overzealous outrage at official Doug Sirmons.

“I can’t begin to tell you how important that is for any coach, but especially for this team because (Ulis) guides the other four guys that’s on the floor with him and he makes their game easier,” said assistant coach Kenny Payne, who filled in for Calipari.

And after a phenomenal 27-point, 12-assist and one-turnover performance, it is time to examine the obvious – Ulis should be heavily considered, maybe even favored, for National Player of the Year.

On Saturday in Columbia, South Carolina, Ulis scored or assisted on 19 field goals. The Gamecocks finished the game with 17 total field goals. 

What other player in college basketball has played a part in (scored or assisted) more field goals for his team than the opponent had total?

The sophomore point guard is now averaging 16.7 ppg, 6.4 apg and 1.8 tpg. Since the blowout win against Missouri, Ulis has dished 44 assists and turned the ball over just seven times.

To compare other guards being considered for NPOY, Oklahoma’s Buddy Hield is averaging 25.7 ppg, 2.3 apg and 2.9 tpg. Maryland’s Melo Trimble averages 14.4 ppg, 5.3 apg and 2.5 tpg. And Providence’s Kris Dunn is averaging 17.0 ppg, 6.7 apg and 3.6 tpg.

Ulis turns the ball over at a lower rate than all three of those listed, is arguably more valuable to his team. He has played in 86.6 percent of the possible minutes played, which is more than Hield (84.4), Trimble (80.4) and Dunn (76.0).

Whether it be huddling his team together after a foul, maneuvering his way through the teeth of the defense, or lobbing an alley-oop to Marcus Lee from half court, Ulis makes his presence known.

South Carolina head coach Frank Martin would seem to agree.

“I don’t think I’ve ever coached against someone so slight in appearance but so strong, so durable and so competitive as Tyler Ulis,” Martin said. “He’s as good as I’ve had to prepare a team to play against.”

The challenge of even preparing for Ulis makes coaches know he is one of the best players in the nation. He is dangerous without scoring the basketball, and sometimes even without being on the floor.

Calipari went to Twitter after Saturday’s win to express his gratitude for how his team handled itself in his absence. 

“I have never been more proud of a team,” Calipari said in a tweet. “They are now empowered. They’ve proven that they don’t need me and I love it.”

UK may not need Calipari to carry the Cats on a deep NCAA Tournament run, but it will certainly need Ulis.