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Kansas Basketball: Impact of landing Michigan transfer Hunter Dickinson

By Christian Odjakjian

Feb 6, 2023; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self reacts to play against the Texas Longhorns during the first half at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 6, 2023; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self reacts to play against the Texas Longhorns during the first half at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
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NCAA Basketball
Kansas Basketball guard Dajuan Harris Jr. William Purnell-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Kansas instantly becomes a title favorite

I had a feeling Kansas was going to be Dickinson’s destination, so I’m feeling pretty good about getting in on Kansas to win the 2024 National Championship at +2000 last week  After the big man made his announcement, the sportsbooks shifted their odds to around +1200. The Jayhawks now hold the second-best odds to cut down the nets in Phoenix, second only to the Duke Blue Devils.

This significant jump is totally warranted because Dickinson is that good, and this is such a perfect fit. Losing Wilson, Dick, and potentially McCullar definitely hurts, but Self has shown time and time again that he can handle roster turnover. Kansas is once again locked and loaded as the team to beat in the Big 12.

Dickinson will get to play alongside some great players at Kansas, which includes two returning starters from last year’s group in KJ Adams and Dajuan Harris. Adams will get to slide back to the four spot, and I expect him to take another step forward this season.

Harris has become an elite floor general, and he should have plenty of fun working off of ball screens from Dickinson. Harris averaged 8.9 points, 6.2 assists, and shot the ball quite efficiently (47.1 FG%, 40.5 3P%) last season. I wouldn’t be surprised if Harris took a sizable leap as a scorer next season, similar to the way former Jayhawk guards Frank Mason and Devonte Graham took big steps late in their careers in Lawrence.

Self has also already added other talent through the transfer portal so far this offseason. Kansas is bringing in sixth-year sharpshooter Nick Timberlake from Towson as well as 2022 five-star recruit Arterio Morris from Texas. Toss in a strong recruiting class featuring five-star guard Elmarko Jackson, and Kansas is ready to compete for a National Title again in 2023-24.

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