The fourth-seeded Kansas basketball team faced a significant challenge in their NCAA tournament opener against the 13th-seeded Samford squad, notably missing their top scorer, Kevin McCullar Jr. Despite this setback, senior center Hunter Dickinson emerged as a pivotal figure, steering the Jayhawks away from potential defeat.
In a remarkable display, Dickinson notched 19 points and an astounding 20 rebounds, along with five assists and four blocks, propelling Kansas to a hard-fought 93-89 win and securing their passage to the Round of 32. The Jayhawks, plagued by injury concerns and recent performance struggles, defied expectations, largely thanks to Dickinson’s heroics.
Aside from the absence of McCullar, Dickinson himself wasn’t operating at full capacity, nursing a dislocated shoulder sustained in their regular-season finale on March 9. However, he demonstrated remarkable resilience, delivering his 17th double-double of the season in commanding fashion, single-handedly outrebounding Samford’s entire starting lineup.
Contributions also came from K.J. Adams, who added 20 points, bolstering the Jayhawks’ collective effort as they shot an impressive 60.3% from the field. Nicolas Timberlake and Johnny Furphy chipped in with 19 and 16 points, respectively, crucially fending off Samford’s comeback attempts.
Despite Samford narrowing the gap to just one point late in the game, a contentious foul call, initially perceived as a block, swung in favor of Kansas.
Make that 1️⃣7️⃣ DOUBLE-DOUBLES on the season for Hunter Dickinson 🔥#LevelUp x @H_Dickinson24 pic.twitter.com/5vclWgGM2c
— Kansas Men’s Basketball (@KUHoops) March 22, 2024
Dickinson’s stellar performance didn’t go unnoticed, sparking admiration across social media platforms:
Kansas Men’s Basketball Twitter account highlighted Dickinson’s consistency with a 17th double-double of the season.
Fans like Sam Winton noted the team’s elevated energy with Dickinson’s return to the lineup.
Josh Weinfuss praised Dickinson’s adept passing skills, which are a significant asset in his repertoire.
PJ Green emphasized Dickinson’s dominance on the court, asserting the advantage of his towering stature.
A comparison to the “Winter Soldier” character from Marvel Comics, made by Smoke Tokz Kansas, underscored Dickinson’s imposing presence.
Ariel Puterman’s halftime analysis emphasized the positive impact of Dickinson’s presence on the team’s performance.
Adam Sullivan highlighted Dickinson’s historical achievement, tying Dave Robisch for ninth place in single-season double-doubles in Kansas history.
Foul or clean block? 👀 pic.twitter.com/A9qizLQf4f
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 22, 2024
Bleacher Report shared a contentious moment, questioning whether a critical foul call was legitimate or not.
Having transferred from Michigan for his senior season, Dickinson’s decision proved fruitful, particularly with Michigan’s absence from the NCAA tournament. Throughout the season, he consistently delivered for the Jayhawks, and his pivotal role in Thursday’s victory underscored his importance amid the team’s injury woes.
Looking ahead, Kansas faces a formidable challenge against the fifth-seeded Gonzaga in the second round on Saturday. Another standout performance from Dickinson will be imperative if the Jayhawks aspire to extend their tournament journey.
