Back in the Fieldhouse: Kansas basketball player ratings from A to Z from win over Fort Hays State
By Tony Zuzzio
![Nov 1, 2023; Lawrence, KS, USA; Kansas Jayhawks forward K.J. Adams Jr. (24) and Fort Hays State Tigers guard Traejon Davis (2) and guard Johnny Furphy (10) fight for a rebound during the second half at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports Nov 1, 2023; Lawrence, KS, USA; Kansas Jayhawks forward K.J. Adams Jr. (24) and Fort Hays State Tigers guard Traejon Davis (2) and guard Johnny Furphy (10) fight for a rebound during the second half at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/244ebc76ba6e6f2c421b8ac04151e27928b3ff4e2be16e762f52766e491097dc.jpg)
It felt great to be back in Allen Fieldhouse! The best place to watch a basketball game in all of America! Kansas basketball closed out its exhibition schedule with a 73-55 victory over Fort Hays State.
It wasn’t pretty, and I hate to say it, but we better get used to winning ugly because that is what this team will do. Ground and pound inside and hit or miss from 3-point range. This team is going to have to grind out victories as they have better defensive than offensive players as a whole.
We will continue our ranking matrix with Big Jays, Baby Jays, and No Jays, which we also completed after Sunday’s scrimmage loss to Illinois.
Tier 1: Big Jays
1. Kevin McCullar Jr.
Kev led the team in scoring with 21 points, adding six rebounds and three steals to go with two turnovers. He played 29 minutes, was 6-of-10 from the field, and drilled four threes. He looked legit and had a great bounce on both sides of the ball. He was by far the player of the game.
2. Hunter Dickinson
Big Hunt scored the first six points of the game and looked poised for a huge performance against an outmanned Fort Hays squad. He played 25 minutes and put up a quiet 17 points and 11 rebounds. The Michigan transfer added three assists, two blocks, and one turnover. He looks to be dominant at times but will face many double teams to slow him throughout the year, as teams will make other players beat them from the outside.
3. KJ Adams
KJ had an efficient 24 minutes, going 5-of-6 from the field. He finished with 14 points, four rebounds, two assists, one steal, and two turnovers. KJ was his consistent self. However, he needs to grab more rebounds.