Kentucky vs. Kansas score, takeaways: Jayhawks survive scare vs. Wildcats, show why they are ranked No. 1

The top-ranked Jayhawks rallied from 14-points down to hold off the No. 17 Wildcats in the Champions Classic

They saved the best for last in Tuesday night's doubleheader of the Champions Classic, as No. 1 Kansas and No. 17 Kentucky provided a thriller full of back and forths that ended with the top-ranked Jayhawks emerging victorious 89-84 in Chicago.

Kansas took the game by storm in the opening few minutes in charging out to a 9-0 lead, but that was as big a lead as it got the rest of the night. Kentucky punched back by not only showing resolve, but responding with a resounding run of its own, finishing the first half with a 48-41 lead behind Rob Dillingham's 16 first-half points.

Kentucky continued its run into the second half and grew its lead to as many as 14, but Kansas had the last wind to finish the heavyweight fight as big man Hunter Dickinson took over down the stretch. Dickinson, who finished with 27 points and 21 rebounds, recorded 14 points, 11 boards and three steals in the final 20 minutes of action, overwhelming UK with his size and tenacity and taking advantage of the Wildcats' lack of size (at least for now) in the frontcourt. 

There are no moral victories at a place like Kentucky -- because, well, it's Kentucky -- but losing to the preseason No. 1 team by five points in a game in which it did not have multiple key pieces in its frontcourt is at least a fine consolation for a tough loss. UK freshmen Justin Edwards and DJ Wagner both struggled, going 1 of 18 combined shooting from the floor, but fellow freshmen Reed Sheppard and Rob Dillingham combined for 31 points and looked the part as impactful pieces that could force their way into major rotation assets for a young Wildcats team.

• Hunter Dickinson became the first player to have at least 20 points and 20 rebounds vs. Kentucky over the last 25 years, per ESPN. He also is the first player in Champions Classic history to have a 20-20 game. 
• Five-star recruits for Kentucky combined for five points in the losing effort. Four-star recruits for Kentucky accounted for 47 points. Antonio Reeves, who was not ranked as a recruit coming out of high school before signing with Illinois State and eventually transferring to Kentucky, had a team-high 24 points.
• Kansas' Kevin McCullar Jr. became the third Jayhawk in program history to record a triple-double, finishing with 12 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists (with his 10th rebound coming in the final second of the game). The first KU player to record a triple-double was Cole Aldrich in 2009, and the most recent KU player was Jeff Withey 11 years ago in 2012. 

[Nov 15, 2023 at 12:47 am ET · Kyle Boone]

Kevin McCullar goes triple-double with it

Dickinson may get the headlines, but McCullar was the driving force behind KU's come-from-behind victory, finishing with 12 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds in 37 minutes of action. Despite going just 3-for-11 from the field, he was a difference-maker on defense and accounted for nearly half the team's total assists on the evening. He became the third KU player in program history to record a triple-double and first since Jeff Withey in 2012.

[Nov 15, 2023 at 12:44 am ET · Kyle Boone]

UK's freshmen surprise ... in ways unexpected

Coming into the game, five-star freshmen Edwards and Wagner were both expected to shoulder the load as likely one-and-done NBA Draft first-round picks. Instead, four-star freshmen Reed Sheppard and Dillingham mostly shined the brightest, with the Edwards-Wagner duo combining for five points and the Sheppard-Dillingham duo accounting for 29 (on far better efficiency and in fewer minutes of action).

Perhaps it was an off night for Edwards and Wagner. Bigger and better days are ahead. But Sheppard and Dillingham stood out as legitimate assets that could force Calipari into making some tough decisions with his rotations. The way Dillingham and Sheppard played, they can't be 16-minute-per-game guys -- like they were vs. Kansas -- or it will be forfeiting a distinct advantage. They are really good. If Edwards and Wagner can click, too, then ... whoo boy. 

[Nov 15, 2023 at 12:39 am ET · Kyle Boone]

Hunter Dickinson takes over

After the game, Dickinson jumped on an interview with ESPN to break down his 27-point, 21-rebound performance, after which he explained, simply, that it was the exact reason why he came to Kansas.

"That's why [Bill Self] brought me here," Dickinson said. "To dominate games."

Dickinson did exactly that. Against a depleted UK frontcourt, he destroyed the Wildcats in the paint and feasted with efficiency. Fourteen of his 27 points and 11 of his 21 rebounds came in the final 20 minutes of action as KU battled back from a second-half deficit -- which ballooned to as many as 14 -- to win by two possessions. 

[Nov 15, 2023 at 12:04 am ET · Kyle Boone]

FINAL: Kansas 89, Kentucky 84

Ten lead changes, eight ties and one wild regular-season epic in the books, No. 1 Kansas survives a killer effort from No. 17 Kentucky to defeat the Wildcats 89-84 in the Champions Classic in Chicago. 

Kansas raced out to a 9-0 lead in this game and took momentum early, but it was a see-saw of action that saw UK recover well. After taking some early blows, UK led 48-41 at halftime and built its lead to as many as 14 in the second half, but KU was not to be denied down the stretch.

Michigan transfer Hunter Dickinson was key the Kansas comeback as he finished with 27 points and 21 rebounds, including 14 points in the second half to go with 11 boards and three steals after halftime. He took over down the stretch and took advantage of UK's lack of height and size in the frontcourt to deliver a major statement on a big stage. 

[Nov 14, 2023 at 11:41 pm ET · Kyle Boone]

Kentucky trying to hold off KU

After a huge opening first 20 minutes, Kentucky -- curiously -- has played Rob Dillingham sparingly in the second half of this one. And yet thus far it largely has not mattered (too much). Antonio Reeves has carried the 'Cats in the second half with 15 points, and Reed Sheppard has added seven points in seven minutes off the bench. 

KU trailing 78-74 as we head towards the under-4 media timeout. 

[Nov 14, 2023 at 11:22 pm ET · Kyle Boone]

Here comes Kansas

It's not over yet!

No. 1 Kansas has charged back to take the lead, 64-62, after trailing by as many as 14 points earlier in this half. KU getting a huge second half from Hunter Dickinson, who has seven points and six boards in <9 minutes of play already. Dajuan Harris also has seven points, and KJ Adams has gone 3 for 6 from the field as well. Winning with efficiency. Meanwhile, UK's gone cold from 3-point range and is just 4-of-14 from the field in the second half.

[Nov 14, 2023 at 11:07 pm ET · Kyle Boone]

Kentucky keeping Kansas at arm's length

Kentucky's biggest problem in this game was letting Kansas rip off nine straight points to open the game. Kentucky's most impressive thing -- outside of its response to that rough start -- is thus far its ability to keep KU at arm's length out of the halftime break. KU and Bill Self are masters at adjustments at halftime but UK has been able to grow its lead to 11 in the first four minutes of the second half, and it now leads 58-47.

[Nov 14, 2023 at 10:40 pm ET · Kyle Boone]

HALFTIME: Kentucky 48, Kansas 41

In what turned out to be a first half full of momentum swings, No. 17 Kentucky leads No. 1 Kansas 48-41 at halftime in the second game of tonight's Champions Classic doubleheader. UK fell behind 9-0 out of the gate but punched its way back behind a massive opening half from freshman Rob Dillingham, who accounted for 16 of the Wildcats' 48 points. Dillingham also led the way with four made 3-pointers, and UK drained nine as a team -- two fewer than Kansas had attempts from deep. Even with KU's advantage on the interior with Hunter Dickinson, who had 10 rebounds and 13 points, UK's play in the backcourt has been a massive advantage thus far that Kansas has not been able to contain. 

Kansas' Hunter Dickinson after draining a 3-pointer at the first-half buzzer.  Zoe Comerford, CBS Sports

[Nov 14, 2023 at 10:20 pm ET · Kyle Boone]

Kentucky making a run

WOW. WOW. WOW.

Led by Rob Dillingham's 16 (!!) first-half points, Kentucky goes on a big run to make six straight shots and take a 36-30 lead. Antonio Reeves also getting on the board with a 3-pointer, prompting a KU timeout. Kentucky already has nine made 3-pointers in the game. 

[Nov 14, 2023 at 10:14 pm ET · Kyle Boone]

UK showing its mettle

It was the Kansas show early, but Kentucky has punched its way back into this one after trailing by as many as nine early to get to within 23-19. Rob Dillingham has been everywhere on offense as both scorer, rebounder and passer, and Tre Mitchell has made some timely shots as well. Reed Sheppard also involved early with two makes on his two 3-point attempts.

[Nov 14, 2023 at 9:57 pm ET · Kyle Boone]

Fast start for No. 1

Tremendous way to open up the biggest matchup of the season for preseason No. 1 Kansas, which is out to an 11-3 start at the U16 timeout. Jayhawks started the game 9-0 and had UK on its heels to open the game. Hunter Dickinson already with four points and four boards, and Kevin McCcullar Jr. looking cmofortable as a facilitator early.

[Nov 14, 2023 at 9:49 pm ET · Zoe Comerford]

Kansas vs. Kentucky is underway

Zoe Comerford, CBS Sports

[Nov 14, 2023 at 7:11 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Kentucky vs. Kansas prediction

The Champions Classic is one of the best early season events in college basketball because the double-header gives fans a chance to check out future NBA stars. Wagner, Edwards and Kansas' Elmarko Jackson could all hear their name called early in the 2024 NBA Draft this summer. Kansas is one of the more experienced teams in the sport and the Wildcats are riding a youth movement that may take some time to develop. The Jayhawks experience will be critical in this high stakes showdown in Chicago. Prediction: Kansas -4.5

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[Nov 14, 2023 at 6:30 pm ET · Kyle Boone]

Battle to watch tonight 

Much will be made about the matchup between the two Hall of Fame coaches and the two big-name programs, of course, and rightfully so, but the matchup I'll be watching tonight that I think will most affect the outcome will be in the frontcourt. KU's Hunter Dickinson and his size present a real threat to UK, which is thin right now with almost all of its bigs or players capable of matchup with him either out or injured. Puts a big burden on UK to win its backcourt battles in convincing fashion to make up for the deficit. Expecting a heavy dose of Justin Edwards and DJ Wagner tonight for the 'Cats, and a really intriguing defensive matchup they will draw against Kevin McCullar and Dajuan Harris, two seasoned vets who will be really tough draws.