How Kansas basketball’s roster is finally built properly around Hunter Dickinson

For the first time in a long time, Kansas big man Hunter Dickinson was at a loss for words.

Dickinson looked toward KU Athletics officials, paused and finally gave his answer during the Jayhawks’ Champions Classic postgame news conference.

“I was (saying) they were too small and can’t guard me,” Dickinson said — referencing his too-little gesture during the game. After scoring inside, he ran back on defense and put his hand close to the ground, then pretended to stomp in that area.

The Michigan transfer tried to hide a subtle smile. After all, KU defeated Dickinson’s old rival, Michigan State, 77-69 in the Champions Classic on Tuesday night at State Farm Arena.

“He doesn’t like Michigan State a lot,” Kansas coach Bill Self said.

Perhaps that hatred of MSU propelled Dickinson to one of his best games in a Jayhawk uniform. He finished with 28 points on 13-for-21 shooting, adding 12 rebounds and three steals.

The box score didn’t do Dickinson justice. He was in total control from the opening tip.

As the Jayhawks’ offense struggled mightily in the first half, Dickinson was the lifeline.

While Dickinson’s teammates shot a dismal 6-for-26 (23.1%) in the first half, he went 7-for-10 (70%) and hit the game’s first 3-pointer. He scored 15 points — half of KU’s 30 — with six rebounds and three steals in 17 first-half minutes.

Overall, Self was impressed by his star big man.

“I think Hunter is playing better than I expected because, as you guys saw, he should have had 30 against (North) Carolina,” Self said. “His timing is all off. He hasn’t practiced much. When he gets into rhythm and gets into shape, he’ll do better things.

“One thing he’s got to start doing is making his free throws, but I think Hunter is playing at a pretty high level.”

It’s early, but Dickinson looks to have taken another step forward this season.

A large part of that is due to the spacing provided by incoming KU transfers Rylan Griffen, Zeke Mayo and David Coit, all talented 3-point shooters.

That’s a major difference from last season, when KU’s lack of 3-point shooting muddied Dickinson’s spacing. And it’s making a difference even when shots aren’t falling.

Kansas shot just 5-for-17 (29.4%) on 3-pointers vs. Michigan State, but the arsenal of shooters allowed the big man easy one-on-one opportunities over and over. Dickinson was never doubled by Michigan State.

Point guard Dajuan Harris found that surprising, as the big man had the size and strength advantage over each of the Michigan State bigs. He took advantage all night — with opportunities to continue doing so moving forward.

And if those doubles do come, the Jayhawks will be capable of making a team pay for it. The difference between last season — when the Jayhawks averaged 5.7 made 3s on 33% shooting — and this one is night and day.

“We’ve got more shooters, even though our shooting didn’t fall today, but it’s easier for me,” Harris said. “(Dickinson) got some more space. … We were just letting the big fella handle business. He made it easier for us.”

And certainly vice versa, too.