No. 1 Kansas escapes Kentucky behind 'monster' Hunter Dickinson - ESPN

CHICAGO — For 40 minutes, Hunter Dickinson did what he always does.

He pumped his fist after he made clutch shots, he chirped at the crowd and talked trash to his opponents during No. 1 Kansas' thrilling 89-84 comeback victory over No. 17 Kentucky on Tuesday in the Champions Classic at the United Center.

With an outstanding effort — 27 points, 21 rebounds (both a career high and Champions Classic record) and three steals — Dickinson also did something else: He made the case that reigning Wooden Award winner Zach Edey will have a serious competitor in the national player of the year race.

"[Coach Bill Self] was talking about the bright lights of playing in the Championship Classic," Dickinson said after the game. «That's something that a lot of people dream of being able to play in. So I feel very fortunate to be able to do that. It helps that I played pretty good — to be able to let [everyone] know that you're playing good.»

Dickinson's effort, which marked the first time a Kansas player registered 20 points and 20 rebounds against a ranked opponent since 2003, punctuated a furious comeback by the Jayhawks.

With 16:21 to play, the Jayhawks were down by 14 points (58-44), but they finished the game on a 45-26 run to win. Kevin McCullar Jr. (12 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists) recorded the school's first triple-double since 2012, while K.J. Adams Jr. scored 16 points and Dajuan Harris Jr. contributed 23 points and seven assists.

But Dickinson's effort changed the game. And his flair energized — or irritated — the crowd depending on what side you were on.

"[Self] really told him that he should get 10 rebounds a game, but I didn't even know he had 21 rebounds until [Self] said it in the locker room just now," Harris said.