LAWRENCE, Kan. — In an impressive display of resilience, the top-ranked Kansas Jayhawks overcame a slow start to secure a convincing 84-66 victory over UNC Wilmington, marking the 800th career win for head coach Bill Self. Hunter Dickinson was a standout performer, contributing 15 points and 15 rebounds, while Dajuan Harris Jr. added 16 points to the tally for Kansas (5-0). David Coit and Zeke Mayo also made significant contributions, scoring 13 and 10 points, respectively.
Leading by a narrow margin of 43-38 at halftime, the Jayhawks erupted with a strong 12-2 run at the beginning of the second half, extending their advantage to a dominating 20 points and eventually coasting to their 18th consecutive victory at home during nonconference play.
Looking ahead, Kansas is set to face the 12th-ranked Duke in an exciting matchup scheduled for the Vegas Showdown on Tuesday. Meanwhile, UNC Wilmington (4-1), which was projected to finish third in the Colonial Athletic Association after a 21-win season last year, saw notable performances from Khamari McGriff who scored 18 points and Noah Ross who notched 10 points and grabbed nine rebounds.
Despite facing the pressure of a sellout crowd at Allen Fieldhouse—its 372nd consecutive sellout—the Seahawks did not show signs of intimidation, having previously defeated Kentucky at Rupp Arena. Kansas appeared energized at the start, but UNC Wilmington matched their intensity for a competitive first half. The turning point came when Harris spearheaded the Jayhawks’ offensive surge early in the second half, which effectively sealed the game.
Notably, Kansas faced challenges as freshman Flory Bidunga suffered an injury in the first half and was unable to return to action after being aided off the court without placing weight on his right leg. His absence poses a significant challenge for the Jayhawks as they seek to maintain their depth in the frontcourt.
The key moment of the game was Kansas’s explosive run right out of halftime, which ultimately decided the outcome in their favor. It’s worth noting that the Jayhawks were able to secure the win despite a less than satisfactory shooting performance from beyond the arc, hitting only 6 out of 25 attempts from three-point range.
In the immediate future, UNC Wilmington prepares for a matchup against Colgate on November 27, while Kansas eagerly anticipates their highly anticipated clash with Duke next week.