For Kansas Jayhawks’ center Hunter Dickinson, the recent matchup against UCF was a defining one. Following a rocky start to their Big 12 campaign, marked by a narrow loss to West Virginia, Dickinson faced mounting criticism about his value to the team. Now he may have answered the doubters with his performance to prove his mettle to the team and the overall conference.

“Hunter was awesome, man. They’ve got to find a way to make him this version of Hunter Dickinson every night,” Analyst Rob Dauster remarked on the recent episode of The Field of 68 After Dark Podcast. The Michigan transfer posted team-high 27 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks across just 23 minutes as No. 7 Kansas dominated host UCF in a 99-48 win Sunday in Orlando for the Jayhawks’ first win in the series.  

Not only did the victory improve the record for the Jayhawks, but it also resolved the issues concerning their star center‘s ability to perform when needed. Rob Dauster added, “I am not going to lie to you, man, I thought they were going to lose this game. I thought that they were going to go into UCF and get beat the way Texas got beat.”

It was a bitter pill to swallow when Kansas lost the Big 12 opener to West Virginia, losing 62-61 in the final seconds on a free throw by Javon Small. It was the Jayhawks’ first conference-opening loss since 1991. West Virginia was playing without several of its best players and was not helped by long travel. Kansas’s offense came under the spotlight as it was the lowest output of the season with 61 points. Criticisms were quick to come the senior center’s way, playing his 5th season.

“If Bill Self could do it over, I don’t think he would have taken Hunter Dickinson. Hunter is a talented player but defensively there’s not a lot there,” John Fanta had commented on the same podcast after the game against West Virginia. Dickinson had managed only 10 points and 0 assists for 15 rebounds across 33 playing minutes. He went 4 of 10 from the field while recording 0 blocks and just 1 steal.

Through 13 games so far, the center has averaged 16 points, his lowest since his first year in Michigan. It is hence easy to see the doubts. But Dickinson has improved rebounds and assists with an average of 10.3  and 2.5, respectively this season. And with the performance against UCF, we know the Jayhawk has the fire.

Dominance in Orlando: Dickinson Leads the Way

Kansas responded in emphatic fashion, dominating UCF 99-48 to secure their first conference win– the 51 point difference was the largest ever in the Big 12 conference. It won’t be anytime soon that we see a game of such margin. Hunter Dickinson was at the heart of it, post, almost touching his fifth consecutive double-double with this game.

The Jayhawks controlled the game from the outset, leading 44-25 at halftime. Kansas made a total of 12 blocks as a team. Freshman Flory Bidunga added six of those blocks, while KJ Adams and Zeke Mayo delivered strong support. Dickinson also hit a career milestone during the game, surpassing 2,400 points in his collegiate career.

As Kansas moves deeper into conference play, it’s safe to say that the win over UCF is a reminder of their potential. Dickinson has shown that he can still deliver and be the value that they paid for. Such performances can pave the way for a strong finish in the Big 12. While challenges undoubtedly lie ahead, Kansas has shown they’re capable of bouncing back—and that Hunter Dickinson is ready to lead the way.