In the pressure-packed atmosphere of the Champions Classic, an extra dose of motivation can make all the difference. For Kansas big man Hunter Dickinson, facing his former rival Michigan State provided exactly the spark he needed to power the top-ranked Jayhawks to a hard-fought 77-69 victory.
Dickinson, the All-American center who graduated from Michigan before transferring to Kansas, made it clear that this matchup meant a little more. “It was a very big game for me. Very big game,” he emphasized. “Obviously, I went to Michigan. I graduated from Michigan. I still got that rivalry inside me.”
That extra fire fueled a dominant performance, as Dickinson led all players with 28 points and 12 rebounds. His intensity was palpable, whether he was spinning past defenders for a score or making a trending “too small” gesture after drawing a goaltending call.
They can’t guard me, and I was putting emphasis on it.
– Hunter Dickinson on his “too small” gesture
Grinding Out a Win
Despite Dickinson’s heroics, the victory didn’t come easily for Kansas. Both the Jayhawks and Spartans struggled offensively at times, combining to start 1-for-18 from beyond the arc. Michigan State shot just 18% from the field in the first half, while Kansas players not named Dickinson were 6-for-26 at the break.
Offensively, we both sucked, to put it bluntly. We’ve got to both get better and we’ve got to find a couple guys.
– Michigan State coach Tom Izzo’s blunt assessment
But Dickinson’s relentless effort steadied the Jayhawks through the rough patches. “You’ve got to grind games out like this, especially against teams like Michigan State,” said Kansas guard Dajuan Harris Jr. “He brought us home [a win].”
Maintaining the Top Spot
The gritty win kept Kansas undefeated and atop the rankings, but head coach Bill Self acknowledged there’s plenty of room for improvement. He praised Dickinson for helping a squad with multiple new transfers learn how to battle through adversity.
A team is defined by its ability to win games when it plays well and also when it has to wade through adversity.
– Kansas coach Bill Self on overcoming challenges
Self, who passed Phog Allen for the most wins in Kansas history with the victory, expects Dickinson to only get better as he gains practice reps after missing time with a foot injury. That’s a scary thought for upcoming opponents, given how Dickinson already imposed his will against a rival.
Rivalry Renewed
The Kansas-Michigan State clash provided a fresh chapter in Dickinson’s personal rivalry with the Spartans. “He doesn’t like Michigan State a lot,” Self noted. “In large part, just because he went to Michigan. And I’m sure they’re trained to dislike the other team at a pretty significant level.”
That disdain shone through in Dickinson’s play. He seized the spotlight and made a statement against his former foe. Extra motivation, it turns out, can be a powerful thing.
Looking Ahead
For Kansas, grinding out this résumé-building win could prove vital for their title defense aspirations. Dickinson exuded confidence in the Jayhawks’ status, declaring it’s “impossible to be better than 3-0 right now” after beating a top-10 North Carolina squad and a Michigan State team he expects to be ranked soon.
The road ahead won’t get any easier for Kansas, with a bevy of tough opponents eagerly awaiting their shot at the defending champs. But with Dickinson driven by an old rivalry and his teammates learning how to win ugly, the Jayhawks look built to handle the pressure of wearing the No. 1 target.
As for Dickinson and his personal rivalry? He’ll surely have this battle with the Spartans circled on the calendar for next season. Because if there’s one thing this performance proved, it’s that a little extra motivation can go a long way.
