The Kansas basketball team is expected to enter the 2024-25 season among the top favorites to win a national title, largely in part to the return of superstar big man Hunter Dickinson. The Second Team Consensus All-American was excellent during his first year in Lawrence, averaging 17.9 points and 10.9 rebounds in 33 games.
Dickinson had the choice to declare for the NBA Draft and go pro or return to school for a super-senior season. Ultimately, he went with the latter option of the two. When he revealed to the Jayhawk fanbase that he was coming back for one more year, he and HC Bill Self did it in a unique fashion — so unique that other programs are following suit.
. @RachSaunders_11 cancel the honeymoon.
— Ryan Kalkbrenner (@RyanKalkbrenner) May 1, 2024
Greg McDermott, Ryan Kalkbrenner copy Hunter Dickinson's return announcement
Entering yesterday, Creighton was in a similar boat to Kansas. They were awaiting the decision of Kalkbrenner, a fellow star center who led the Bluejays to one of their most successful seasons in school history. And just like the Jayhawks, they got the player they wanted back for one more campaign.
To announce his return, McDermott and Kalkbrenner coordinated it on Twitter. He would later respond to confirm he is coming back, jokingly writing "cancel the honeymoon" to his girlfriend. Creighton's coach also mentions Self and Dickinson in the tweet, which is a clear reference to Dickinson's return announcement last week.
Yeah you’re right coach. I guess it’s time to tell everyone I’m coming back! Rock Chalk!
— Hunter Dickinson (@H_Dickinson24) April 26, 2024
The game they are referring to is the Big East-Big 12 Battle occurring in the upcoming season. After defeating reigning national champions UConn in last year's edition, the Jayhawks will travel to Omaha in a pivotal road matchup against the Bluejays. With the return of Kalkbrenner, it will make for a terrific big man battle between Dickinson and the three-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year.
One might say that Creighton was teasing KU by copying what they did. However, Dickinson retweeted and liked McDermott's post, so everything appears to be all in good fun.