Kansas basketball/ Hunter Dickinson ejection/ Duke vs. Kansas/ college basketball news/ Flory Bidunga/ Bill Self/ Jon Scheyer/ LAS VEGAS/ Newslooks/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Kansas center Hunter Dickinson was ejected during the Jayhawks’ 75-72 win over Duke after kicking Maliq Brown in the head. Officials ruled the act a flagrant-2 foul, leading to his removal from the game. While Kansas coach Bill Self questioned the severity of the ruling, Duke coach Jon Scheyer agreed with the decision. Freshman Flory Bidunga stepped up in Dickinson’s absence to help secure the win.
Kansas-Duke Showdown: Quick Looks
- Incident: Hunter Dickinson kicked Maliq Brown, leading to a flagrant-2 foul and ejection.
- Coaches’ Opinions: Bill Self called the decision debatable, while Jon Scheyer supported the officials.
- Game Context: Kansas was ahead 57-55 when Dickinson left the game.
- Replacement Impact: Flory Bidunga, a freshman, stepped up with six points and eight rebounds.
- Final Score: Kansas triumphed over Duke 75-72.
Dickinson Ejected for Kicking Brown in the Head as Kansas Beats Duke
Deep Look
Kansas center Hunter Dickinson was ejected during a highly anticipated matchup against Duke on Tuesday night, adding drama to the Jayhawks’ narrow 75-72 victory over the Blue Devils in Las Vegas. The incident occurred midway through the second half when Dickinson, battling for a rebound, kicked Duke’s Maliq Brown in the head. Officials deemed the act a flagrant-2 foul, resulting in Dickinson’s automatic removal from the game.
Initially, Dickinson stayed with his teammates on the bench but was later escorted off the court following the ruling. The referees explained that the ejection stemmed from their interpretation of the kick as intentional, with Brown’s head hitting the floor adding weight to their decision.
Kansas coach Bill Self expressed his disagreement with the severity of the call. “I didn’t think it warranted a level-2,” Self said, arguing that it could have been a lesser penalty. Meanwhile, Duke coach Jon Scheyer saw the situation differently, stating, “I saw on the screen that he kicked him in his face, so I think that warrants a flagrant-2.”
At the time of the incident, Kansas held a slim 57-55 lead. Dickinson, who entered the game averaging 17.8 points and 10.4 rebounds, was a crucial component of the Jayhawks’ strategy. His ejection left a void, but freshman Flory Bidunga rose to the occasion. Bidunga contributed six points and eight rebounds, providing critical support in a high-pressure environment.
Kansas forward KJ Adams praised his teammate’s performance under challenging circumstances. “It’s amazing what he did out there, especially a freshman coming in in that big environment,” Adams said.
The win bolsters Kansas’ reputation as the top-ranked team in the country, but Dickinson’s ejection may spark discussions about officiating and player conduct moving forward.
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