Aside from a slow start to the game, practically everything went right for the Kansas basketball team's blowout victory over Oklahoma State on Saturday. The Jayhawks closed out the first half on a 29-4 stretch and never looked back, defeating the Cowboys 96-64.
During that massive run to finish the half, KU was getting everything it wanted. With one minute to go, Hunter Dickinson got into the passing lane and recorded a steal. The 7-foot-2 center unexpectedly ran the fastbreak and threw down a dunk that ignited the Allen Fieldhouse crowd. It is safe to say that Dickinson's teammates were impressed by his rare display of athleticism.
Rylan Griffen, Diggy Coit and Flory Bidunga give Hunter Dickinson props for his steal/fast break dunk before half
— Caroline Soro (@caroline_soro) February 23, 2025
Then say Coach Self said Dickinson messed up, because now he needs to do that all the time 😂 pic.twitter.com/sLuitnVNqV
Nobody expected Hunter Dickinson's fastbreak dunk vs. Oklahoma State
Although he is one of the tallest players in the conference, Dickinson is notorious for not dunking the ball often. Kansas fans often wish he would play with more physicality, but he tends to favor layups. And when he does attempt a dunk, it can get ugly — just ask the rim from the Michigan State game.
Regardless, Dickinson took the ball and went coast-to-coast to extend KU's lead. It was one of the most exciting plays of the win, and it even surprised the likes of Rylan Griffen, David Coit, and Flory Bidunga. They were asked about it in their postgame press conferences.
"Nah, I was like, what did Coach Self say? He messed up, right? Because now he got to do it all the time," Griffen joked with the media. "Shoutout to Hunt, though," Coit added at the end.
HUNTER DICKINSON DOING IT HIMSELF 🔥
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) February 22, 2025
The Jayhawks put on a show in the first half against Oklahoma State 🙌
(via @CBSSports)pic.twitter.com/1wuCptTAgJ
In a season-low 21 minutes, Dickinson still posted a 16-point, 11-rebound double-double. He finished 7-for-10 from the field with two made foul shots.
Dickinson has the ability to change games with his post-scoring ability and tremendous size, but his stats have not resulted in many wins recently. The Jayhawks have only come out on top in four of their past nine meetings and have a difficult slate to round out Big 12 play. Dickinson and Co. will look to start a winning streak Monday night at Colorado.