Hunter Dickinson's big night
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.”
November 15th, 2023 at 11:59 AM ^
It’s obvious we lost that game because Juwan didn’t let TWill cook.
#RickSnow’d
November 15th, 2023 at 12:35 PM ^
The thing for me is if Hunter was playing almost anywhere else but Kansas, it an easy "root for him". I do however think we are better off in the long run with him gone on both ends of the floor.
November 15th, 2023 at 9:56 AM ^
A post on Hunters stats? <huge fart noise>
November 15th, 2023 at 9:59 AM ^
Wow, seriously?
November 15th, 2023 at 10:02 AM ^
Looks like he is a better fit for KU then UM. His freshman year was great here but last year you could tell he was frustrated and his level of play really sunk. Good for him that he is playing well for a title contender. Our team looks better this year without him.
November 15th, 2023 at 10:04 AM ^
Great post, Mrs. Dickinson. Glad it’s working out for your son in Kansas, America’s True Midwest.
November 15th, 2023 at 10:04 AM ^
Maybe we should have a daily Hunter update
November 15th, 2023 at 10:04 AM ^
He started firearms season early?
November 15th, 2023 at 10:06 AM ^
I don't get why so many Michigan fans seem to dislike Hunter? He said a stupid comment when he left but he walked it back and honestly it wasn't that bad to begin with. It's not nearly as bad as anything Cade said.
And Dickinson got Michigan a 1 seed, an Elite Eight berth and a Sweet 16. We are doing quite well without him and have reinvented our identity, while it seems like he's found a home in Kansas. It's ok if it just works out for everyone lol
November 15th, 2023 at 10:10 AM ^
My theory is that everyone loved his villain act when we were winning because it's fun. Then last year was a very bad year (not all his fault IMO but apparently that is the take around here) and he ran his mouth a lot on podcasts while we couldn't back it up. People got tired of the act because we didn't win.
November 15th, 2023 at 10:23 AM ^
That's fair.
November 15th, 2023 at 10:34 AM ^
You can't wear a ski mask to a game then score 12 points and lose. That just makes you a cornball.
November 15th, 2023 at 10:49 AM ^
Personally, I never liked his antics. Just keep your head down, and play ball. Let your game do the talking, or in his case gesticulating.
November 15th, 2023 at 12:04 PM ^
Yeah he is like a Chelios or Laimbeer - you love him (mostly) when he is on your team, but elsewhere those are very hated "villain" types.
November 15th, 2023 at 10:16 AM ^
Was a terrible locker room presence. It was clear his teammates were happy to see him go.
November 15th, 2023 at 10:35 AM ^
I agree. Michigan is fine with or without him. They look like they're going to have a nice season, so hating Hunter doesn't really do anything.
November 15th, 2023 at 10:06 AM ^
I just saw the box score. Didn't watch the game.
Good for him. Seems to be a good fit at KU, so far.
Having said that, I'm pretty excited to watch this year's MBB team going forward, with the current roster. Not missing him right now.
November 15th, 2023 at 10:11 AM ^
Damn 20-20, those are some crazy stats. Not sure if he had any blocks or assists to add in. Plus, that is in a huge game against a great team. Glad he's playing well. Wish we still had him, but can't blame him getting better money and possibly playing for a championship.
November 15th, 2023 at 10:12 AM ^
So far, it's working out for us and Hunter. Tarris and Khamoua are gonna cause problems for the B1G!!
November 15th, 2023 at 10:15 AM ^
I mean isn't that kind of what he does? Will go off for some big games, but doesn't do it every night, which gets frustrating for fans.
Just looked it up he had some 30 point games against Illinois and MSU. Also 27 against Tennessee in the tournament. But then also I'm sure everyone can remember a game they thought he didn't play that well.
November 15th, 2023 at 10:21 AM ^
Michigan basketball has moved on from Hunter Dickinson and I'd like to see the forum do the same. I don't really have any ill will towards Hunter Dickinson. I did get a little tired of his constant complaining about NIL at Michigan, and also think he said some stupid things once he left that didn't need to be said. It's not a big deal. But I also don't really give any shits how he is doing at Kansas up until the point where we might face off against Kansas.
I get that I didn't need to click it. But I just don't really get why we are supposed to care how Hunter plays for another team regardless of how/why he left.
November 15th, 2023 at 10:23 AM ^
Congrats to Hunter. This seems like a divorce that left both sides in a better place
November 15th, 2023 at 10:23 AM ^
This read like a Michigan Monday article. Let's be better though. He's better off where he is and we're better off with our lineup.
November 15th, 2023 at 10:24 AM ^
Good game big fella.
November 15th, 2023 at 10:25 AM ^
I look forward to sometime this season, maybe in the tourney, where Michigan meets Kansas. Kanas as the #1 seed and.....wait for it.......Michigan as the #1 seed as well.
November 15th, 2023 at 10:25 AM ^
I think it worked out for both parties that he moved on.
I know its early, but Michigan seems to be in a better place (on the court) without him here. And Hunter gets to go to a place where he can make some serious NIL money and compete for a national title. Which he wasn't going to do here beyond his freshman year.
And I don't know about Bill Self's scheme/style, but maybe it better suits Hunter's skills. If so, even more of a win for Hunter.
We can be happy for Hunter and happy for ourselves. I choose to do that.
November 15th, 2023 at 10:26 AM ^
Good for him but I think this could be the last update on him for the season.
November 15th, 2023 at 10:29 AM ^
Give me Reed Jr. any day of the week over him, so much more fun to watch and equally as effective in other aspects of the game. Dickinson ruined our program from a team chemistry standpoint, offensive flow standpoint, unwillingness to play D (contagious), limited athleticism, and his on court antics were just too much for me once he was not backing them up or thinking of the team first. Cool 20/20 game bro.
November 15th, 2023 at 10:34 AM ^
Been waiting since for a great heel since Bill Laimbeer. Give em the finger HD.
November 15th, 2023 at 10:34 AM ^
I don't hold any ill will toward the guy but "giving a shit" was always a big issue with him.
He's still a liability on defense, and I think the Big 12 is a much more athletic conference than the Big 10 so we'll see how he looks after a full season of that.
November 15th, 2023 at 10:36 AM ^
He was probably fired up because his girlfriend dumped him for Xavier Worthy.
November 15th, 2023 at 10:53 AM ^
Hunter is going to have a monster year
We don’t need an update after every game
November 15th, 2023 at 10:54 AM ^
It will be awesome when Michigan plays Kansas in the NCAA Championship Game. What drama!
November 15th, 2023 at 10:57 AM ^
Love HD but our team is actually smoother, better, more cohesive and apparently more effective without him.
November 15th, 2023 at 10:58 AM ^
Why all the fake Midwest hate on Hunter?
November 15th, 2023 at 11:05 AM ^
I’m not rooting against him. Hope he does well and resurrects his NBA prospects. But man, some of the hype he’s generating already is a little crazy. Did they not watch him the last few years? He can have great games. His consistency from game to game has historically been an issue. Maybe the change in scenery and different coaching style can help him maximize his potential.
November 15th, 2023 at 11:14 AM ^
I don't have any bad feelings about the guy. He certainly put in the effort in Seasons 1 and 2, including a big game vs. Tennessee to get us to the Sweet 16.
Last year's team was a dysfunctional group. Hunter wasn't the reason for it but he also wasn't a leader like Aidan was to regroup the locker-room. Not a cancer by any means. I actually loved how he could rile up the opposing fans - it seemed to take the pressure off the rest of the team.
He did what a lot of 21-year old players would do, went where he could win a title and be surrounded by the 4 and 5 star players. Not sure how much MORE money he's getting from NIL, but for a guy who's not likely to make zillions in the NBA, now is his time to maximize some income. I could see him being around as a former star college center and having a career like Will Perdue did coming out of Vanderbilt or Dave Corzine out of DePaul or Paul Mokeski out of Kansas (If you know any of these three guys, you are quite an NBA historian)
I'm beginning to love OUR team this year with players who are playing so well together, including some transfers too. This is going to be a fun team.
November 15th, 2023 at 11:19 AM ^
Never cared for the dong show when he hit a three. I don’t think he would be doing that if Harbaugh was coach.
November 15th, 2023 at 11:22 AM ^
Are we gonna get a post every time he plays?
November 15th, 2023 at 11:40 AM ^
I could not possibly care less.
The minute he left is the minute I stopped giving a shit about him or what he does.
All the best.
November 15th, 2023 at 11:54 AM ^
Lmao. He purely dominated cause UK only has 1 available big and is 6’11. The next man was a PG last year, grew, and is now a 6’10 4. UK was out all three of their bigs that would have been a matchup with Dickinson. Though they didn’t really utilize him until last 7 minutes or so. KU isn’t that scary this year.
November 15th, 2023 at 11:55 AM ^
Who gives a shit?
November 15th, 2023 at 11:57 AM ^
It'll be poetic when our team goes father in tourney. Am glad he left.
November 15th, 2023 at 1:07 PM ^
Fuck that guy.
November 15th, 2023 at 1:10 PM ^
Have a feeling he might have a lot of nights like that this year. Still could be a Ewing theory situation for us though, given how much better our defense is without him
November 15th, 2023 at 1:34 PM ^
I've got a Big D1ckinson Energy T-shirt for sale for anyone who wants one.
November 15th, 2023 at 6:12 PM ^
In the last 6 minutes HD looked like he has for 3yrs. 1 fg 2-2 ft. 2 rebounds and taken out for defense lapses. Had an offensive rebound go off his hands and go off another Kansas player. Sound familiar.