Getty Image / Mitchell Layton
This college basketball season was a bit of a disappointment for the Kentucky Wildcats based on their usual standards.
The team didn’t pick up a single notable win during non-conference play, finished in 3rd during the SEC regular season, and then lost their first game in the SEC tournament to Vanderbilt.
They still managed to get a 6-seed in the NCAA Tournament and earned a win over Providence before being eliminated by Kansas State in the Round of 32.
In the midst of this season’s struggles, there were some Kentucky fans who were ready to see the program move on from John Calipari.
Now he appears to be trying to land a transfer that might make Wildcats fans happy he’s still with the team.
According to Stadium’s Jeff Goodman, Michigan transfer Hunter Dickinson is set to meet with Kentucky over Zoom today.
Michigan transfer Hunter Dickinson is set to have a zoom meeting with Kentucky today, source close to Dickinson told @Stadium.
Dickinson obviously getting plenty of love from nearly all the high-majors.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) April 5, 2023
Dickinson is one of the transfer portal’s biggest names this season.
In 3 seasons with Michigan, Dickinson averaged 17.2 points and 8.4 rebounds while helping the Wolverines reach an Elite Eight and a Sweet Sixteen in his first two years with the program.
Those numbers and that early success make it easy to see why Dickinson is already getting interest from a blue blood program.
There’s just one big thing that could stand in the way of Dickinson actually wanting to play for the Wildcats. Oscar Tshiebwe still hasn’t made an official decision on what he will do next season.
It’s difficult to see how those two would play together. Dickinson is a capable shooter, but his game is very dependent on his ability to score inside, which is just about the only place Tshiebwe can play.
If Tshiebwe moves on, Dickinson would be a great way to replace his interior presence. He would ensure the Wildcats would still have a strong rebounder and a dependable scoring presence to turn to in the paint. He’s also more dynamic offensively.
The Kentucky Wildcats need to do something big to try and reclaim their status as the SEC’s top dog and Hunter Dickinson could be the piece they’re looking for.