LAWRENCE, Kan. — Although Kansas star Hunter Dickinson will miss Friday’s charity exhibition against No. 16 Arkansas because of a sprained foot, Jayhawks coach Bill Self told ESPN he’s not worried the injury will affect the program long term.
Self said Dickinson, the 7-foot preseason AP All-American who averaged 17.9 points last season, aggravated the foot injury at No. 1 Kansas’ “Late Night in the Phog” event last Friday. He remained out of practice Thursday, but Self said he is expected to return to workouts this weekend.
Transfers Rylan Griffen (Alabama) and Shakeel Moore (Mississippi State) also are expected to miss Friday’s exhibition because of injuries but are set to return to practice this weekend. Self said he’s hopeful all three players will be available for Tuesday’s exhibition against Washburn.
“We won’t be near as good offensively [without them against Arkansas],” Self told ESPN after the team’s practice Thursday.
Kansas opens its regular season Nov. 4 against Howard.
Arkansas also is expected to be shorthanded, as coach John Calipari told reporters this week that the team will be without multiple key players Friday.
Calipari tweeted Thursday that both he and Self have decided to play quarters in the sold-out exhibition so they can work on “situational opportunities” that can help both teams.
“We are looking forward to an incredible atmosphere in Bud Walton Arena tomorrow night!” Calipari tweeted. “Can’t wait to walk out of the home [team’s] tunnel for the first time! Let’s do this!”
The Razorbacks will donate proceeds from the game to Arkansas Children’s Hospitals. Kansas will donate its proceeds to Fore The Kids Foundation.
During the offseason, Self added multiple players to his roster to bolster its depth, which was a challenge for the Jayhawks last season. Self said he wants to see how his team reacts to an atmosphere Friday that will feature more than 19,000 fans at Bud Walton Arena.
“I think [we will learn] just how the guys handle adversity,” Dickinson told ESPN. “Each team is different. Obviously, with a new team this year, we don’t know what to expect when stuff hits the fire. And I think that’ll be a good test for us. I think that’s why Coach Self set up the game because it’s a tough opponent on the road in a hostile environment.”
