Kansas is almost always a threat when March arrives, but the Jayhawks face a different challenge this year.
Hunter Dickinson and Kevin McCullar Jr., two of their star players and two of the best players in the Big 12, are battling injuries that put their NCAA Tournament availability in question.
McCullar has already been ruled out of the Big Dance with a bruised knee that lingered throughout the season. But what of Dickinson?
No. 4 Kansas is set to open its March Madness run against No. 13 Samford in the round of 64 at at 9:55 p.m. ET Thursday, March 21. Here's the latest on Dickinson's injury and his status for the game.
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What is Hunter Dickinson's injury?
Dickinson dislocated his shoulder in Kansas' regular-season finale on March 9. The ailment forced him to miss the Big 12 Tournament, and questions arose about whether he'd be ready to play in the Big Dance.
The Jayhawks dogged a bullet, though. After the initial news of his injury, some worried Dickinson may have torn his labrum, which would require surgery.
So far, Dickinson has missed just one game, as the Jayhawks lost their first game of the Big 12 Tournament to Cincinnati. That said, the star senior hasn't played since March 9.
How long with Hunter Dickinson be out?
Dickinson seems ready to at least attempt to play against No. 13 Samford in Thursday's first-round contest.
Ahead of the game, Dickinson said his shoulder feels "good," and head coach Bill Self said his star big won't be on a minutes restriction, Brendan Quinn of The Athletic reported.
“(Dickinson)’s doing great,” Self said Sunday. “He’s actually practiced the last two days, non-contact, so we’ve done a lot of dry stuff so that way he can be out there. And then he’ll go contact (Monday)."
The Sporting News will continue to follow Dickinson's injury and update accordingly.
Hunter Dickinson 2023-24 stats
- 18 points per game
- 10.8 rebounds per game
- 2.2 assists per game
- 0.9 steals per game
- 1.4 blocks per game
- 1.8 turnovers per game
- 55 percent field-goal shooting
- 35 percent 3-point shooting
- 64.1 percent free throw shooting
STREAM: Watch Kansas vs. Samford live with Sling
Kansas March Madness schedule
The Kansas Jayhawks earned a No. 4 seed for the 2024 NCAA Tournament and will face the No. 13 seed Samford Bulldogs in the round of 64.
Kansas and Samford will face off at 9:55 p.m. ET Thursday, March 21.
| Round | Opponent | Time (ET) | Location |
| Round of 64 | No. 13 Samford | 9:55 p.m. | Salt Lake City, Utah |
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