Hunter Dickinson still learning Kansas rivalries, Big 12 opponents after transfer

Hunter Dickinson came to Kansas with blind knowledge of the university’s traditions other than its winning reputation. That’s changing slowly but surely, but the incoming transfer has a long way to go when it comes to becoming an educated Jayhawk.

“That is one thing about playing for the University of Kansas — you’re every team’s Super Bowl,” Dickinson said on Rock Chalk Unplugged with teammates Mitch Lightfoot & Chris Teahan. “Every arena you go to is going to be sold out and crazy. That’s one of the reasons I wanted to go to Kansas.

“I want that target on my back — I want that team’s best shot. There’s nothing better than beating a team that gave you their best shot. It shows that you’re superior to them. I haven’t thought about opponents too much. Still trying to learn all of the opponents, so it might take me a while.”

Dickinson has much to learn about his new program. The first of which is getting down the school’s name. Kansas University, or KU, is the correct way of saying it. If it was called the University of Kansas, which would give them the ‘UK’ moniker. It’s probably not a stretch to say that another blue-blooded fanbase would take exception to that notion.

Still, most of the teams Dickinson name-dropped as being the ones that he’s most excited to play aren’t even in the Big 12, aside from Cincinnati. Games against Missouri, a rivalry game, Kentucky, who beat Dickinson at Michigan last season, and UConn, the defending national champions, are three that he’s looking forward to in particular.

Expect him to shine in those massive matchups, as the 7-foot-1 big man has made a career out of showing out with the lights on bright. He averaged 14.1 points and 7.4 rebounds per game as a true freshman before going on to average over 18 points and over eight rebounds per game in each of the next two seasons. By the time he left Michigan, Dickinson’s career average had stalled at a strong 17.2 points and 8.4 rebounds per game.

Joining Dickinson in the transfer portal are SG Nick Timberlake, PF Parker Braun and former Texas guard Arterio Morris. Morris, a former five-star recruit in the 2022 class, averaged 4.6 points and 1.4 rebounds in 11.8 minutes per game last season for the Longhorns but expects to have an improved role in Lawrence this coming season.