With Kevin McCullar, Hunter Dickinson, Are Kansas Jayhawks 2024 NCAA Title Contenders?

The Kansas Jayhawks are making lots of noise with their 7-1 exploits in the NCAA 2023-24 season. Entering the season as favorites, the Kansas are certainly stunning the fans with their heroics. 

But can the Kansas march on effectively to the Championship title or their Maui Invitational defeat has opened up their weaknesses? Only an analysis of their performances can divulge the answer.

Kansas Jayhawks vs North Carolina Central Eagles 99-56

The Kansas Jayhawks started their season on a high by upending the North Carolina Central Eagles by a blowout margin of 99-56. Their guard Kevin McCullar Jr. and center Hunter Dickinson starred in this emphatic win, besotting 22 and 21 points respectively.

The Jayhawks riding on the backs of their top scorers decimated the Eagles by a humongous margin of 59-18 in the first half. While Dickinson nabbed a game-high of 8 rebounds, McCullar Jr. had the highest game score. The win can also be attributed to their guard Dajuan Harris Jr. who contributed 10 assists in the process.

Kansas Jayhawks vs Manhattan Jaspers 99-61

The Jayhawks then trumped the Manhattan Jaspers by a comprehensive margin of 99-61. Dickinson stood at the forefront capturing 18 points with 8 rebounds whereas McCullar Jr. basketed 15 points.

It might not have been the best of nail biters but their head coach Bill Self used this game to test their bench strength. Another of their guard Johnny Furphy was instrumental in their victory besotting 15 points. Thus every member played his part as per the plan.

Kansas Jayhawks vs Kentucky Wildcats 89-84

The Jayhawks locked horns with the Kentucky Wildcats and edged past them by a close margin of 89-84. Dickinson set the stage on fire by smashing 27 points with 21 rebounds. The numbers were flowing from him that day.

Harris Jr. smoked the team’s second-highest 23 points whereas McCullar Jr. cruised to his first triple-double of the season scoring 12 points with 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Overall, a lot of positives to take from this game.

Kansas Jayhawks vs Chaminade Silverswords 83-56

The Jayhawks easily trumped the Chaminade Silverswords by a blowout margin of 83-56 in their first game of the Maui Invitational. Dickinson totted a spellworthy 31 points with 11 rebounds reaching his second double-double of the season.

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McCullar Jr. on the other hand reached his second triple-double of the season with a swoonworthy 22 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists. Though it was against a weaker Chaminade team still was considered a crucial match because of the knockout nature of the Maui.

Kansas Jayhawks vs Marquette Golden Eagles 59-73

The Jayhawks battled it out against the Marquette Golden Eagles in their second outing of the Maui Invitational. But lost the game by a decent margin of 59-73. This has been the only blow to the No. 1 ranked team this season so far and sent shockwaves in the entire basketball circuit.

McCullar Jr. continued his string of on-song performances, sousing 24 points with 8 rebounds. Though it was a game-high but still the Jayhawks fell short of the collective team effort by the Golden Eagles.

Kansas Jayhawks vs Tennessee Volunteers 69-60

The Jayhawks contested for third place in the Maui Invitational against the Tennessee Volunteers and won it by a clear margin of 69-60. Dickinson who had been restrained in the previous game came in full swing basketing 17 points with 20 rebounds. He thus reached the third double-double of the season.

McCullar Jr. and their forward KJ Adams Jr. too heaped 14 and 13 points in the process. This marked the Jayhawks establishing their domination after a weak semi-final performance. They thus left the tournament on a high.

Kansas Jayhawks vs Eastern Illinois Panthers 71-63

The Jayhawks then defeated the Eastern Illinois Panthers by a close margin of 71-63. Dickinson once again stepped up along with McCullar Jr., throttling 25 points and grabbing 13 rebounds. This was his fourth double-double of the season. On the other hand McCullar Jr. too posted 18 points in the process.

The Allen Fieldhouse team took an unassailable lead of 38-25 in the first half while the Panthers ended the match without being able to successfully chase their overall lead in the second half. The next match was quite entertaining.

Kansas Jayhawks vs Connecticut Huskies 69-65

The Kansas squared off against the Connecticut Huskies in their most recent match. It was a clash of the titans with the critics expecting the Huskies to sweep the game. However, the Kansas came on top edging past the Huskies by a close margin of 69-65.

Dickinson, McCullar Jr. and Adams Jr. formed a triad, contributing 15, 21, and 18 respectively. Dickinson also seized a game-high of 9 rebounds. With this match the previous number 1 team again sent the message quite clearly to their opponents that they were still in the battlefield and difficult to contain.

Dickinson averages a double-double with 20.9 points and 12.3 rebounds this season and is emerging as the best Kansas player. Meanwhile, McCullar Jr. averages 18.5 points with 7 rebounds and 5.1 assists. Their third-best contributor has been Adam Jr. who with 11.8 points. 

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The Jayhawks have the perfect recipe of a tall center and a dominant scorer with the rest of the players giving their best around the anchor. If the Jayhawks continue to perform and execute their strategies, they’re sure to come out as a top team in the competition. They will also have to contribute as a unit and coach Self has done good by testing their bench strength.