Tyler Ulis doesn’t come to an office dressed in a suit and tie but make no mistake, he’s the boss and he knows it.
“He wants the corner office,” Kentucky coach John Calipari said after the Wildcats rolled to a 76-57 win over Vanderbilt Saturday. “That’s what he wants. He thrives in it.”
Ulis certainly had a good day at the office against the Commodores Saturday, scoring 21 points for No. 23 Kentucky, which won back-to-back conference games this week following a 75-70 setback at Auburn.
“That’s my job as a point guard in general on this team,” Ulis said. “I have to help some of the younger guys out and just try to get the job done.”
The 5-foot-9 point guard began the season as Kentucky’s floor general, but has added more responsibilities to his title during the past three months and doesn’t mind carrying the load.
“That’s just what I have to do on this team as a point guard, definitely, because you have to lead your team,” he said. “That comes with a lot of responsibility, especially when you have young guys like we do. I feel like that’s not pressure. It’s just what I have to do.”
BOXSCORE: Kentucky 76, Vanderbilt 57
Many times this season, Calipari has turned to Ulis for advice when it comes to breaking down an opponent’s defense, taking the load off his coach. He had plenty of input in the easy win over the Commodores.
“It means a lot … that he trusts me to make certain decisions,” Ulis said.
On the receiving end of many assists by Ulis, Kentucky senior Alex Poythress said he’s is the “little engine that makes us go.”
“He’s like a little mini-coach out there,” he said.
The consistency of Ulis in the backcourt is one reason Kentucky (15-4, 5-2 Southeastern Conference) hasn’t totally collapsed after two conference mishaps at LSU and Auburn this month. The players are starting to follow his lead, in turn, taking the pressure off Ulis.
“I feel like guys are stepping up into their role now,” Ulis said. “Alex (Poythress) is stepping up very big for us, Derek (Willis) playing so well and everybody’s doing their job.”
Vanderbilt coach Kevin Stallings was impressed with Ulis and said the UK guard has a “great understanding of the game” and plays within his size when he’s on the court.
“He plays at a great pace,” Stallings said. “He doesn’t get sped up. He can make shots. He’s a great layup maker (and) he’s got good vision. He’s really got everything. He actually utilizes his size to his advantage. He creates disadvantages with his stature. That’s a unique skill.”
Ulis took the compliment from Stallings to heart and said he tries to use his “quickness and IQ” to his advantage.
“I try to beat guys to spots, think a couple plays before and just try to do what I have to do to get by,” he said.
Even before he signed with Kentucky, Ulis had a reputation for making smart decisions on the court. Calipari didn’t want to take a chance on Ulis because of his size, but other attributes made up for his short frame and the gamble has paid dividends for the Kentucky coach.
“When I watched him, I just said this kid is unbelievable in pick-and-rolls,” Calipari said. “And he’s got the heart of a lion. And I’ll put enough big guys around him, he’ll be fine. He has a burning desire to win.”
Since Ulis arrived on campus, Calipari has often referred to his point guard as “little man,” a nickname Ulis has learned to expect from his coach.
“Last year it was hard for him to kind of get under my skin, but (when) he used to do that he would,” Ulis said. “I understand what he’s trying to do now so I just try to brush it off.”
Indeed, Kentucky’s smallest player is making a big difference for the Wildcats.
Notes
* Kentucky shot 55 percent from the field, it’s best against a conference opponent.
* The Wildcats have committed just 13 turnovers in the past two games.
* Ulis collected his seventh 20-point game of the year and became the first player since Sean Woods (1990-91) to collect at least four assists in 12 straight games.
* Jamal Murray had 18 points for his 17th consecutive double-digit game and has made a 3-pointer in his first 19 games.
* Derek Willis started for the second straight game and third time this season. Willis scored seven points and led the Wildcats with nine rebounds. Willis made his only two free throws and is 14-14 at the line this season. Willis scored 77 points in the first 40n games of his career and has tallied 76 in his last 12 games.
Game tracker: Missouri at Kentucky, Wednesday, 9 p.m. TV/Radio: SEC Network, 98.1 FM WBUL.
Keith Taylor is a columnist and senior sports writer who covers University of Kentucky athletics for KyForward.com