Kansas Star Hunter Dickinson Faces Suspension After Controversial Incident with Duke’s Maliq Brown
Kansas center Hunter Dickinson was ejected midway through the second half of the No. 1 Jayhawks’ 75-72 victory over No. 11 Duke on Tuesday night, after a controversial incident involving a kick to the head of Duke forward Maliq Brown. The ejection came at a crucial point in the game, with Kansas leading 57-55, and it could have been a pivotal turning point in the contest.
The Ejection: A Flagrant-2 Call
The sequence began when Maliq Brown backed into Dickinson while both players were going for a rebound. Brown was called for a personal foul, but the drama quickly escalated when Dickinson responded by kicking Brown in the head. The officials assessed the kick as a flagrant-2 foul, leading to Dickinson’s ejection from the game.
Kansas head coach Bill Self was visibly frustrated with the call, stating that he didn’t believe the kick warranted a level-2 foul. “I didn’t think at the moment and nor now do I feel it warranted a level-2,” Self said. He added that the officials told him their decision was based on the belief that the kick was intentional and that Brown’s head hit the floor.
Despite Self’s perspective, Duke coach Jon Scheyer disagreed with the assessment. Scheyer, who has an intimate understanding of the game’s rules, felt that the officials made the correct call. “I saw on the screen that he kicked him in his face, so I think that warrants a flagrant-2,” Scheyer said. “I haven’t had a good look or anything more, but that to me was really an easy one.”
The Impact of Dickinson’s Ejection
At the time of the ejection, Kansas held a slim 57-55 lead, and the loss of Dickinson—who had been averaging 17.8 points and 10.4 rebounds—could have easily shifted the momentum in Duke’s favor. With Dickinson out, the Jayhawks were forced to rely on their depth to finish out the game. Flory Bidunga, the freshman who filled in for Dickinson, stepped up big, contributing six points and eight rebounds in the final minutes.
“Obviously, it’s a bummer that an All-American like Hunter had to go out,” Kansas forward KJ Adams said after the game. “But it makes me happy that Flo got a chance to show the world what he can do. It’s amazing what he did out there, especially a freshman coming in in that big environment, a huge game. He did really good.”
Despite Dickinson’s absence, Kansas held onto their lead, finishing out the game with the win. The performance from Bidunga in a high-pressure situation was a crucial factor in Kansas’ ability to close out the victory.
A Turning Point for Both Teams
While Kansas fans were no doubt concerned about Dickinson’s ejection, the loss of the All-American big man was also a moment for Duke to capitalize on the opportunity. The Blue Devils, however, struggled to take control in the final minutes, unable to execute as they had hoped after the ejection. Brown, who was at the center of the incident, finished with a solid performance but the team could not rally to seize the lead.
Kansas’ resilience, even without their star player, showed the depth and composure of the team. Bidunga’s ability to step up in such a pivotal moment highlighted the Jayhawks’ overall strength, and although Dickinson’s ejection left a hole in their lineup, Kansas proved that they were capable of overcoming adversity.
The Road Ahead
The controversial ejection of Hunter Dickinson will no doubt be a topic of discussion in the coming days, but for Kansas, the important takeaway is the victory. The Jayhawks improve to 5-0 on the season with a win over a top-tier opponent, reinforcing their position as the top-ranked team in the country.
For Dickinson, the ejection was a frustrating moment, but his teammates’ performance in his absence may have been the silver lining. Moving forward, Kansas will likely be focused on ensuring they maintain their momentum while Dickinson serves any potential suspension or review from the incident.
As for Duke, the Blue Devils will have to look at the loss as an opportunity to learn and grow from this experience. They were right there in the game, and despite the setback, they showed enough fight to suggest that they will be a serious contender come March.
In the end, while the ejection of Hunter Dickinson was undoubtedly the major storyline of the night, Kansas’ ability to adapt and still secure the win shows just how dangerous they can be even without one of their stars on the floor. For the Jayhawks, it’s all about moving forward and staying sharp as they head into the rest of their tough schedule.
