With Bidunga providing a spark off the bench, Dickinson has been able to focus on what he does best—anchoring the paint, scoring efficiently, and using his size to alter shots and rebounds. The narrative around Dickinson’s defense may not change overnight, but his value to Kansas is undeniable.

K-State coach Jerome Tang called a 30-second timeout after a Bidunga hook shot gave KU a 7-0 lead and another timeout when KU went up 14-0 following a Zeke Mayo 3. Mayo went 4-of-7 from 3 and scored 24 points. He was 6-of-8 from the line.