Through the Phog
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Kansas basketball: Predicting the Jayhawks starting 5 and key bench players

By Joshua Schulman

DES MOINES, IOWA - MARCH 18: Dajuan Harris Jr. #3 of the Kansas Jayhawks dribbles the ball against Davonte Davis #4 of the Arkansas Razorbacks during the second half in the second round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena on March 18, 2023 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
DES MOINES, IOWA - MARCH 18: Dajuan Harris Jr. #3 of the Kansas Jayhawks dribbles the ball against Davonte Davis #4 of the Arkansas Razorbacks during the second half in the second round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena on March 18, 2023 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – FEBRUARY 18: Hunter Dickinson #1 of the Michigan Wolverines attempts a layup after getting past Malik Hall #25 of the Michigan State Spartans during the second half of a college basketball game at Crisler Arena on February 18, 2023 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Michigan Wolverines won the game 84-72 over the Michigan State Spartans. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – FEBRUARY 18: Hunter Dickinson #1 of the Michigan Wolverines attempts a layup after getting past Malik Hall #25 of the Michigan State Spartans during the second half of a college basketball game at Crisler Arena on February 18, 2023 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Michigan Wolverines won the game 84-72 over the Michigan State Spartans. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images) /

Center: Hunter Dickinson

Dickinson was one of the most highly coveted transfers to ever enter the portal, and the addition of him instantly made Kansas a title favorite. The 7-foot-2 big man’s back-to-basket game is unparalleled across the rest of the conference, which is a big reason why he was recently named the Preseason Big 12 Player of the Year.

Across three seasons at Michigan, Dickinson averaged 17.2 points and 8.4 rebounds through 94 games played. He was an All-Big Ten selection in each of those years, even securing All-American honors as a sophomore. Very few players in the Bill Self era — or Kansas basketball history alone — have had such high expectations heading into the season.

He should make his presence felt defensively with his tremendous height, but the real difference is what he provides on the offensive end of the ball. Dickinson can step outside the arc to shoot a 3-pointer or beat any player down low in the post. He and Dajuan Harris will form one of the best one-two punches in the country.

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