Hunter Dickinson's big night

Submitted by GoBlue96 on November 15th, 2023 at 9:46 AM

Great to see Hunter found the desire to give effort on the basketball court again and he finally gets a chance to play with some great players...

https://themessenger.com/sports/hunter-dickinson-kansas-jayhawks-champions-classic-kentucky-wildcats

CHICAGO — He danced. He sneered. He waved. He gestured. He preened. He heard every boo, every catcall, every piece of trash talk lobbed his way. Then he chewed it all up, spit it out, cleaned it up, and walked away a winner, just like everyone knew he would. Whether they liked it or not.

This was Hunter Dickinson, in his prime as well as his comfort zone. This was the player that Kansas had hoped it was getting — and Kentucky wished it could have — when Dickinson announced last May that he would play his final season in Lawrence, not Lexington (or Ann Arbor for that matter). The brash, brawny and very big (7-foot-1, 260-pound center) from Alexandria, Va., stepped onto the big stage of the Champions Classic at the United Center and put on a performance for the ages. And Kansas needed every one of his 27 points and career-high 21 rebounds, too, because the young, plucky, undersized Wildcats came to play — and fight. 

It was a fun, head-on-a-swivel, raucous 40 minutes. In the end, the older, wiser, bigger Jayhawks were able to overcome a 14-point second half deficit to prevail, 89-84, leaving us pretty much where we were started. Kansas is still No. 1, Kentucky has a gaping hole to fill inside, and Dickinson is ready to make a serious run at Purdue center Zach Edey for national player of the year.

Dickinson was the epitome of efficiency, making 8 of 12 from the floor and 10 of 11 from the free throw line. He got a lot of pats on the back for his effort, as well as one good pop to the noggin. (Good thing he’s so hard-headed.) That delayed his entrance into the postgame press conference while Kansas’ trainers checked him out. When he joined KU’s veteran starters Dajuan Harris and Kevin McCullar behind the microphone, Dickinson was humble and deflective. For once, he let his game do the talking, knowing the message he sent was loud and clear.

“I don’t think I’ve ever had a 20-20 before,” Dickinson said with a sheepish grin. “Coach [Bill Self] said when I came here I was going to get the ball a lot, and I think I did today, so he was right about that. But he also said, you’re going to play with some great players and have a chance to win a national championship. I’d say he’s been truthful so far.”

Basketball

Denard In Space

November 15th, 2023 at 9:49 AM ^

Congratulations to Hunter for finally trying hard! Didn't see his highlights but hopefully he was able to break more personal barriers like jumping for a rebound or running back on defense. 

Joined: 05/24/2018

MGoPoints: 13469

AZBlue

November 15th, 2023 at 12:39 PM ^

I did not watch the second half - which obviously went better for Kansas - but in the first half Hunter was frustrated and had poor body language when they weren't getting him the ball.  I saw several 5 on 3 breaks for Kentucky with Hunter and the other Kansas rebounder FAR behind the play.

At this point he is what he is to the good (offense) and bad (mainly defense).  Per Ant Wright -- he felt UK just didn't have the bigs to counter him hence the strong performance. 

In any event It was an UGLY, sloppy, first half of basketball on both sides and it seemed to me that a LOT of the KU turnovers were poor attempts to get the ball into Hunter.

Joined: 09/14/2008

MGoPoints: 16806

jippolito

November 15th, 2023 at 10:06 AM ^

You're whining about Hunter's effort, presumably at Michigan. Acting like he just didn't try because he doesn't move fast. Or maybe you expect a slow 7 footer who the team can't afford to be off the court to slap the floor every time down and get in a low crouch, maybe pick up a couple cheap hustle fouls?

If the team would've been better off without him then they would've played better when he was on the bench. They didn't. He also coincidentally "tried harder" his freshman year and is magically trying again on the #1 team in the country. The variable you're missing here is his teammates.

Joined: 03/22/2009

MGoPoints: 1276

Heisman21

November 15th, 2023 at 10:58 AM ^

Actually, they did play better with him on the bench at times. All of the time, no. It was evident at times though. They seemed better without Jett as well. Go back and watch tape if you need examples. No disrespect to either guy, but they will be a better team without him and Jett this year and it's already showing. 

Joined: 01/09/2011

MGoPoints: 267

907_UM Nanook

November 15th, 2023 at 11:27 AM ^

Kentucky was playing undersized post players, Hunter had 5 or 6 inches on these guys. So he could stand under the basket & grab boards/make layups. He also hit at least one 3 pointer, which is same as at UM. 

Kentucky got 5 guys out on the break, Hunter was always last down the court. And the game went down to the wire. 

So Hunter got his numbers in this game, but I think Kentucky also benefitted from his lumbering down late & being slow in the halfcourt. Kentucky is getting 2 7-footers eligible soon, so it would be a better matchup. I say reserve judgement on Hunters impact when he's playing against another 7 footer.

Joined: 04/01/2018

MGoPoints: 15275

Buffalowing Blue

November 15th, 2023 at 10:30 AM ^

The guy moves pretty damn good for his size, but I dont see his knees holding up for another 5 years.  I get the salt about him leaving but its not like he left Michigan to play at Iowa. Kansas is a damn good team.  Lets not act like he didn't try when he was at Michigan or he doesn't improve your team when he's on the court either.

Joined: 11/14/2022

MGoPoints: 5369

BlueinKyiv

November 15th, 2023 at 9:54 AM ^

Watched the game and though Hunter had a good stats line....I really think his style of play and limited movement negates a lot of teammate strengths.  Too much standing around and they nearly lost to a bunch of freshman playing their first big game.  

I think Hunter has a good year but not sure Kansas accomplishes what they think with him.  There is a reason he is still playing college ball at 23 (his birthday is next week FYI). 

 

 

Joined: 04/05/2017

MGoPoints: 4226

goblu330

November 15th, 2023 at 10:04 AM ^

For me, the issue was most glaring late in games.  There was so much focus on getting him the ball that everybody else stopped doing anything so often we got some broke ass shot from the last person with the ball because we spent 20 second setting up a post up instead of looking for a good shot.

Joined: 01/07/2022

MGoPoints: 32123