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