Any doubts about the No. 1 Kansas Jayhawks will have to wait another day.
While KU’s performance in exhibition play highlighted potential weaknesses, the top-ranked Jayhawks flexed their muscles when it actually mattered by rolling to a 99-56 victory over North Carolina Central during Monday’s season opener in Allen Fieldhouse.
The game was over before it really began, thanks to what Hunter Dickinson demonstrated in his regular-season debut for Kansas. The talented transfer from Michigan scored seven unanswered points to help the Jayhawks jump out to an early lead. He had 10 points within five-plus minutes, giving KU a quick double-digit lead in the process. Dickinson delivered 15 points before he subbed out for the first time.
More importantly, Dickinson dazzled his scoring prowess in multiple ways. He scored his first points on a putback, only to hit a pick-and-pop jumper on the very next possession. He then displayed range by knocking down multiple 3-pointers during a 17-point performance in the first half.
It wasn’t just Dickinson’s deep ball that made an appearance on Monday, either. After hitting nine total 3-pointers in their two exhibition games, the Jayhawks matched that number in the first half by going 9-for-12 from long range. Kevin McCullar Jr. hit a trio of triples in the first half, while Nicolas Timberlake added two on as many attempts. Even Johnny Furphy connected on his lone look from long range.
The early barrage of 3-pointers helped the Jayhawks establish complete control of the contest. They led by a 58-18 margin at halftime, giving way for several different lineup combinations in the second half.
McCullar paced KU in a winning effort with 22 points on 8-of-12 shooting, while Dickinson added 21 on a 8-for-9 effort from the floor. Timberlake produced 13 points in his regular-season debut for the Jayhawks.
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Play of the game
There were plenty of highlight-worthy plays to choose from in KU’s blowout win. But it only makes sense to pick a play involving Dickinson, who began his National Player of the Year campaign with a stellar showing on Monday.
Dickinson wasted no time on either 3-point attempt from the top of the key in the first half, firing each one with complete confidence. His second first-half triple led to the biggest roar from the Kansas faithful in attendance.
Up next
Kansas will be back in action on Friday, when Manhattan makes the trip from Riverdale, New York to Lawrence. Don’t expect that contest to be much more competitive, however, as Manhattan ranks 343rd overall on KenPom. For comparison, NC Central was ranked 306th prior to Monday’s matchup.
