Kansas basketball: Rim protection from Hunter Dickinson could be Jayhawks' missing piece

Hunter Dickinson is the go-to player for the Kansas basketball team whenever they need a bucket. But when it comes to the defensive side of the ball, he often becomes a liability.

That wasn't the case when the Jayhawks defeated No. 9 Oklahoma by double digits over the weekend. The former Michigan center sent back five shot attempts to go along with his 24-point double-double.

More impressively, he picked up only two fouls in his 33 minutes played. If opponents fear Dickinson in the paint and he doesn't have to worry about getting into foul trouble, the ceiling of this Kansas basketball team elevates tremendously.

There is no denying that Dickinson has struggled to stay in front of players on defense. After all, he is 7-foot-2 and not the most athletically gifted specimen. He is better suited to stay within 10 feet or so from the hoop, or opponents might blow by him.

He jokingly compared himself to NBA Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon after the win. Although the comparison was made in good fun, the Jayhawks would gladly welcome a better defensive effort from their superstar, especially his rim protection against teams with less size.

One performance is not enough to change the game plan of KU's foes. They will continue to attack Dickinson to try and get him in foul trouble because of what he brings to the table offensively. Turnovers and sloppy offensive possessions have haunted Kansas basketball for most of the year, but could a slight boost defensively be what the Jayhawks were missing?

All season long, Coach Self has reiterated to the media that his group is not where they want to be defensively. However, if guards continue to get beat off the bounce on the perimeter, Dickinson could aid his teammates by providing a big presence near the basket.