Kansas basketball cruised to an 86-51 victory over Furman on Saturday. It was a relatively easy game following a tough matchup in the Vegas Showdown. The Jayhawks overwhelmed the Paladins with suffocating defense, albeit with rough outside shooting, to move to 7-0 on the season.
After the game, head coach Bill Self hinted at a change in some rotations. While speaking with reporters, the Hall of Famer suggested that standout big men Hunter Dickinson and Flory Bidunga could see more minutes together moving forward. The two have been paired sparingly this season, but Self believes their skill sets could benefit the team in short spurts:
Bill Self may play Hunter Dickinson and Flory Bidunga together more often
"Flory's been really good. He goes after the ball for the most part. He can do some things athletically that nobody else can, but then sometimes he doesn't play to his athletic ability like he like he could... But we have to figure out a way to get Flory and Hunter playing at least five minutes a game together."Bill Self
Dickinson has been as advertised since transferring from Michigan last year. The 7-foot-2 senior is averaging 15.7 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game, shooting 54.8% from the field. A two-time All-American, Dickinson was named the Preseason Big 12 Player of the Year and remains the focal point of Kansas’ offense. His ability to command double teams makes him one of the nation’s most dangerous big men.
Bidunga, a freshman and former 5-star recruit, brings an entirely different dynamic. He is known for his athleticism and defensive prowess. The 6-foot-9 first-year player has shown flashes of his potential in limited minutes. Against Furman, Bidunga finished with eight points and six rebounds in 15 minutes. He stepped up in crunch time against Duke after Dickinson was ejected, and although he had rough moments, Bidunga gained valuable experience from the contest.
While Bidunga’s offensive game is still developing, his ability to protect the rim and space the floor complements Dickinson’s more refined offensive game. Self noted that playing the two together could create mismatches, particularly against teams with smaller lineups.
Kansas could dominate both ends of the floor with this pairing. Dickinson can anchor the offense at times, but he does not provide the defensive versatility Bidunga brings. Teams would not be able to manipulate Dickinson's terrible pick-and-roll defense with a more switchable big man on the floor.
As the Jayhawks prepare for tougher competition in Big 12 play, the combination of Dickinson and Bidunga could become a critical component of their rotation.