John Calipari may have to decide between Hunter Dickinson or Oscar Tshiebwe for next year's team. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Could Michigan All-American center Hunter Dickinson be close to making a commitment to transfer to Kentucky? The 7-1, left-handed Dickinson played in 94 games the last three seasons at Michigan and averaged 17.2 points and 8.4 rebounds per game in those three seasons. He’s scheduled to be at UK this weekend for a visit.
Oscar Tshiebwe has until May 31 to decide if he’ll keep his name in the NBA draft. The NBA Combine is not until mid-May and if Tshiebwe is invited, you have to think he’ll wait until after that ends to make a decision about whether to stay in the draft or return to college.
No way Dickinson is going to wait until May 31 to make a decision, so what does UK coach John Calipari do if Dickinson says he wants to play at Kentucky? Simple. He takes him if Tshiebwe is not ready to make a decision.
Calipari obviously wants to have either Dickinson or Tshiebwe on next season’s team and as good as Tshiebwe has been, constructing a roster for the 2023-24 season has to be the priority over loyalty to any player, including Tshiebwe.
Kentucky played Michigan last season and WON. Dickinson had 23 points, nine rebounds, three blocks, two turnovers, and one assist in 26 minutes. Tshiebwe had 13 points, 14 rebounds, one steal, and one assist in 31 minutes. However, Dickinson took 22 of his team’s 64 shots while Tshiebwe took only 10 of UK’s 58 shots.
The last two seasons, Dickson took about 28 percent of Michigan’s overall shots while Tshiebwe took about 21 percent of UK’s shots. With the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class arriving at UK next year, it’s hard to see Dickinson taking three of every 10 UK shots but he might understand that and be willing to take a different offensive role on a better team because a Calipari big normally does not take 28 percent of the shots.
Sean Vinsel of HoopsInsight.com noted that Dickinson was not ranked in the top 100 in either defensive or offensive rebound rate.
Here is a potential more alarming concern.
“Last season, Michigan’s defense at the rim was not outstanding. They ranked 224th in opponent field goal percentage at the rim, one spot ahead of Kentucky,” Vinsel said. “Michigan also allowed a higher portion of shots to be taken at the rim than the Wildcats. Given that defense at the rim was a weakness for UK, it doesn’t seem like Dickinson would help in that area at all.”
And for those worrying that Tshiebwe might clog the lane for talented, athletic newcomers like DJ Wagner, Rob Dillingham and Justin Edwards need to note that Vinsel said Dickinson was used in post-ups 287 times last year by Michigan while UK used Tshiebwe 177 times.
Here is perhaps an even bigger concern — Dickinson might clog the lane for dynamic playmakers UK is adding next season. Vinsel pointed out Dickinson was used in post-ups 287 times last year — 110 more than Tshiebwe — and also is not a great passer in traffic.
So if Calipari wants to make sure he has either Tshiebwe or Dickinson — who can hit a 3 and had 45 total the last two seasons — on the roster next season, then there’s no way he can risk waiting for Tshiebwe, losing him to the NBA and then go into next season without either one.
However, just understand that Dickinson, just like Tshiebwe, has limitations and might not be the Final Four savior everyone wants him to be.
25 Responses
We are in a bind, as you pointed out in this article. I’d rather have Oscar back because I believe he’d be most likely to sacrifice his role in the team for the benefit of the team. That includes helping Ugo develop, a piece that was not mentioned in this article. How can we expect Hunter to come here and split significant minutes with Ugo and embrace that? We would already be (hopefully) asking him to accept a lesser number of shots per game. With who we will have at the 1-4, no big is going to be the feature player on offense! I think most fans would agree that if Ugo makes a PJ Washington-type improvement next year, he would be the perfect 5 for us. I hope Cal does not promise the world to Hunter to get him here.
We are better off with Hunter, Oscar isnt a big enough offensive threat, with Dickenson it will free up open players cause they will worry more abt his offensive side. If Cal didnt take Dickinson and waited for Oscar I would be so disappointed. Dickinson knows he has basically maxed out and has been told he isnt todays NBA player just like Oscar, he wants to win a title and he is gonna do anything to get it. We have improved Oscar as much as we can, I am so sick of the stupid P. J. Washington comparisons, Oscar is nothing like P. J. Lol not even close to the same type player. For Kentucky to pass on Dickinson would show some amateur coaching and choosing loyalty over winning thats what the fans accuse him of all the time, and now that all the sudden what you want? Gimme a break. Its time to take winning, Oscar had his time we dont owe him anything more than we have given. So anyways I think its an easy Call and would be such a massive mistake to pass on Hunter. Just massive. Its the exact position we need for our recruiting class as well a center so bradshaw can play the 4, and have 2 7 foot rim protectors. As well as 1 or 2 off the bench depending on if Collins or Onyenso stays after this news. Thats my 2 cents, once again BBN fans dont know what they want but they will blame Cal either way of course.
Just saying he would be a good fit at St Johns
I agree live with Ugo’s development early and we will be fine as long as we have Oscar back to help rebound. I believe Reeves, Livingston, will give leadership to the new guys when they return. (Hoping) If Ugo makes the jump Cal believes he will we’ll be fine
I’m still puzzled that Reeves made one of nineteen shots in a game.
I’ll take Dickinson anyday
Agreed
Yesterday I took sometime to watch Dickinson highlights on YouTube. I’m no coach , but you don’t need to be to recognize how high he keeps the ball upon receiving it keeping it out of reach . Also being not considered fast , However I encourage anyone to watch how fast he gets to the rim for a dunk. He doesn’t bring it down and flushes it fast. And can pop a 3 as well. He’s a skilled big man at least for the college game.
Cal has already been talking up Onyenso and talked him into staying, for now. I think he goes with Ony and the freshmen, Oscar or not. Dickinson might not even make UK his number one.
Everyone was wanting Oscar back last year after posting 18pts and 15 rbs. I mean this year it was 17 and 14. There was no discussion about his defense last year. I would argue he was put in bad positions. I think the knee procedure bothered him more than people think. He would be surrounded with a lot better players next year. I just don’t see how you tell the first two time consensus All American in 40yrs you can’t take him back. How do you turn down a guaranteed 16 and 12 night in and night out. I wouldn’t.
TAKE DICKINSON ANYDAY OSCAR IS A ONE WAY PLAYER .
I agree live with Ugo’s development early and we will be fine as long as we have Oscar back to help rebound. I believe Reeves, Livingston, will give leadership to the new guys when they return. (Hoping) If Ugo makes the jump Cal believes he will we’ll be fine
I have watched Oscar play every game at Ky. He is no fought a good player,but for some reason that should have been corrected Oscar gets confused on defense and he forgets his assignments and let’s the offense blow right by him and he just throws up his hands.Someone needs to work with him on his defense assignments.Its a tough decision.
I would hate to end up with neither but Ky is not a lucky program and I see this as a very strong possibility
You know the good with each guy, you know the limitations of each, at this point they are known quantities. It cones down to timing as to who you take. You absolutely can not wait on Oscar, lose Hunter, and then Oscar decides to go another route therefore losing both. Oscar has been great, but you have to get one if them locked up, and if Hunter wants to commit, I think you have to take him.
There will be alot of talent surrounding each player. I see Dickinson as a player who can pass well and facilitate better than Oscar.
Also Dickinson can face the hoop ..thats something Oscar cannot do .
Oscar played his heart out in the final game against k state. Just look at the rebounding effort when he was literally taking the ball out of their hands while we on the offensive end. If we would have had the same effort from all 5 guys that game would have ended differently even with the crazy 2 3’s towards the end of the game. It’s simple, if we want rebounds and defense we pick Oscar, if the need is for more offense then go with Dickinson. Only the staff knows which one they need more with team coming in and confident they will make the right choice.
Oscar has been super fun to watch during his time at Kentucky and while he is a super talented young man, he has his faults.
Before the possibility of Dickenson transferring came to light I was quite concerned about who would be the 5 and I hoped that Oscar would return for one last year.
But with Onyenso apparently not jumping ship we would at least have a big, and I am sure he will be better this year, especially if he can manage to pack some meat on his frame.
But take Oscar back, beef up Onyenso and grab Dickenson if he is willing!
Personally I would love to see some "Twin Towers" action next year!
We need Hunter. He is cool and played big. Oscars time to go to the next level
Is here! Go Cats!
I don’t want a player who says they will come only if Oscar doesn’t. What other promises does he expect. I just can’t see him fitting in at UK. My opinion. Everyone has one.
He should go to Kansas…who knows how to win!!!
If Oscar comes back it’ll be interesting to see how he defenses the pick and roll this year
Why mot take and play both? The last time Kentucky had a true "Twin Towers" Bowie and Turpin they went to the Final Four. Playing both these guys gives you the best of both worlds. It doesn’t have to be one or the other and I love the way people are hating on Oscar now. National Player of the Year stats barely dropped and now he’s awful. GROW UP!!!
People can have an opinion right or wrong.