Hunter Dickinson, Kevin McCullar to miss Big 12 Tournament due to injury

Kansas will head into the Big 12 Tournament limping, being without two of their best players. Head coach Bill Self revealed neither Hunter Dickinson nor Kevin McCullar will be available for the Jayhawks. McCullar has been dealing with a knee injury for some time now, while Dickinson injured his shoulder on Saturday against Houston.

Dickinson took an MRI after arriving back in Lawrence, where some good news was provided. Surgery will not be required for him and the injury is thought to be a short-term one. Alongside McCullar, Self expected to have both of them back in time for the NCAA Tournament.

“The MRI provided good news on Dickinson. No surgery is needed,” Gary Bedore of the KC Star said via X. “Self stresses he thinks Dickinson will be ready to go for NCAAs and not be hindered by the shoulder. And says McCullar will be ready too for NCAAs.”

No matter how Kansas fares in the Big 12 Tournament, they are a lock to make the field of 68. Their journey could begin on Thursday, March 21, or a day later on March 22. Getting as much rest as possible is likely the ideal scenario for Dickinson and McCullar, even if it’s only a day.

But the Jayhawks will go to Kansas City without two of their best options. Play for them will begin on Wednesday, facing off against the winner of Tuesday’s matchup between Cincinnati and West Virginia. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. CT.

How thin Kansas is has been a storyline all season, with Self not getting too much off the bench. Injuries could prove to be demoralizing, especially with players at the skill level of Dickinson and McCullar. The former was just named the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year on Monday. And the latter has been playing at a high level in the conference for five years now.

Dickinson and McCullar are the program’s two leading scorers, both averaging over 18 points per game. Rebounding has been where Dickinson has played a huge role though, grabbing 10.8 a night and averaging a double-double.

McCullar can dish it out a little more, going slightly over four assists per game. He is also an incredible defender and has previously been named to the All-Big 12 Defensive team.

Both will be missed in the Big 12 Tournament and hopefully back in order to help Kansas make a push for a national championship.