Men's Basketball

Examining the Case: Hunter Dickinson or Oscar Tshiebwe?

Published

3 years ago

April 18, 2023

On Monday morning, Matt Jones of Kentucky Sports Radio reported on a rumor about former Michigan Wolverines big man Hunter Dickinson. That rumor being that he is interested in playing for the Kentucky Wildcats, contingent on Oscar Tshiebwe’s decision.

“[Kentucky] would love to have Oscar back, but Oscar is wanting to wait until the end to decide and Hunter wants to make a decision,” Jones said. “So Kentucky is hoping Oscar will make his decision this week so that whatever happens they don’t lose Dickinson in the process.”

For the sake of argument, let’s assume that Kentucky would have their choice between Hunter Dickinson and Oscar Tshiebwe, who are you picking? Let’s explore.

The Case for Hunter Dickinson

Ranked as the No. 1 transfer in the portal by multiple services, Dickinson could choose to transfer to any school in the country, and for good reason. In three seasons at Michigan, the 7-foot-1 center has proved himself as an All-American caliber player, recording 31 double-doubles and totaling 1,600+ points and 750+ rebounds in the process.

While the talent is clearly there, how would he fit on Kentucky’s roster?

Offensively, Dickinson may be the best big man in the country. He is a throwback center who uses his 7’1, 260-pound frame to shield defenders and carve out space in the paint. With that size, he is able to easily establish position inside and can extend out to the three as a capable shooter. To add is able to make good passing reads out of the post.

However, outside of his offense, Dickinson still possesses the same issues as Tshiebwe, being that he is an average athlete who is too slow to guard quicker players on the perimeter. To add he is a solid rebounder, but not as good as Tshiebwe who is historically great.

With all that being said, there are reports that Dickinson’s interest in Kentucky is questionable, suggesting he is only trying to drive up his NIL value, as many see his recruitment as a three-horse race between Georgetown, Kansas, and Maryland.

The Case for Oscar Tshiebwe

If Oscar Tsheiebwe were to hit the transfer portal again, he would undoubtedly be the No. 1 ranked player in the portal. In two seasons at Kentucky, Tshiebwe has proven himself as one of the best, if not the best, rebounders in the modern era of college basketball. To add, he is the program’s only unanimous National Player of the Year. Yet, it has resulted in just one NCAA Tournament win.

It’s not fair to put that burden solely on Tshiebwe, as there have been other contributing issues such as injuries, poor shooting at poor times, and roster deficiencies. However, it is fair to say that Tshiebwe is limited in some areas, notably on defense and passing out of the post.

Unlike his first two seasons, there are two capable players that can play center next season, five-star Aaron Bradshaw and a more developed Ugonna Onyenso. This will give the staff more options to compensate for Tshiebwe’s limitations, as both are great rim protectors and Bradshaw possesses impressive passing skills for a big. They both also serve as the lob threats that John Calipari likes to have.

This past season, opposing teams sent multiple defenders to combat Tshiebwe’s dominance in the post. Including the likely return of Antonio Reeves, along with the incoming freshmen, teams should not be able to do that next season given the offensive strengths of those players. If they do, Tshiebwe will have better looks in the paint. To aid in that, he did show improvement in his footwork/post moves, something more understated.

To put it simply, Tshiebwe is a former National Player of the Year and two-time All-American. Despite his limitations, he is one of the best big men in the country. With a roster that holds traits that can mask his faults and if the staff uses him as they did for the majority of the time in his first season in Lexington – not forcing the ball into him, letting him create his offense from rebounding – he can help Kentucky be more successful.

In comparison, Dickinson (22) and Tshiebwe (23) are what they are for the most part, given their age. While Dickinson is a better all-around offensive option, I believe he is a worse fit as he will take away from other players.

Based on the play styles and offensive strengths of the incoming players, the Wildcats would be better suited with a player that is able to create his own without needing the ball, as Tshiebwe can. As mentioned, just with the supporting frontcourt pieces, next season’s Kentucky team could be better prepared to scheme around his flaws.

Given what he has accomplished and done for the community, I would personally give Oscar some time to make his decision (1-2) weeks, if he and his people feel that it is necessary. However, the staff needs to make clear that they can’t wait forever because even if they aren’t able to get Dickinson due to waiting, they have to pursue someone.

What do you think? Provide your opinion in the comments below!

Also published on A Sea of Blue.

Related Topics:Hunter Dickinson Michigan Oscar Tshiebwe

BB Recruiting

James Madison Transfer Justin McBride to Visit Kentucky on Tuesday

Published

18 hours ago

April 17, 2026

Tristan Pharis

Kentucky will host James Madison transfer James McBride for a visit on Tuesday, after communicating with Mark Pope and the staff via Zoom video call.

James Madison Athletics

While much of the attention in the transfer portal goes to the top targets, you need to build a full roster. Still with starting spots to be claimed, Kentucky also looking at depth pieces. The most recent, James Madison transfer Justin McBride.

After talking to the staff this week via Zoom video call, McBride is scheduled to take a visit to Lexington on Tuesday.

A three-star transfer, ranked 201st overall according to 247Sports, McBride is being recruited by multiple power conference teams including Baylor and Cal, as well as SEC foes Mississippi State and Ole Miss.

Out of high school, McBride was a four-star recruit, ranked in the top 150 nationally.

“He is a versatile player who has that IT factor about him. You can tell by the passion he plays with that there is a huge chip on his shoulder,” 247Sports asked program director Vonzell Thomas said as he evaluated McBride out of high school. “What I like about his game is his will to win. He does whatever it takes to win and not every kid has that mentality.”

From Texas, McBride committed to Oklahoma State over the likes of Kansas and Arkansas, where he played alongside former Wildcat Bandon Garrison. There, he appeared in just 24 games, averaging just over five minutes per game.

Seeking a larger role, McBride entered the transfer portal and dropped to the mid-major level, committing to Nevada. With the Wolfpack he nearly tripled both his minutes and production, averaging 7.8 points and 4.2 rebounds in just under 20 minutes per game. His most recent stop, James Madison this past season, McBride had a breakout year, averaging 15.3 points and 5.6 rebounds on 40 percent shooting from deep.

Entering his senior season, the 6-7, 240 pound McBride is eyeing a jump back to the power conference level, prioritizing fit at his next stop.

Will that be Kentucky?

McBride has good size and athleticism, and has an inside-out style of game. Meaning he can work his away around the paint, but can also space the floor with his shooting, grading fairly well as a catch and shoot guy. Overall, he ranks in the 97th percentile in scoring volume. That said, there is come consistency to be lacked on the defensive side.

BB Recruiting

Multiple Transfers Meet With Kentucky on Wednesday

Published

1 week ago

April 8, 2026

Tristan Pharis

The transfer portal is active, and Zoom stock is going up as college coaches are video chatting around the clock to build their rosters, including Kentucky.

On Wednesday, Mark Pope and the Kentucky staff added three more names to the Zoom list.

Alex Wilkins (Guard, Furman), 4⭐️, 46th-ranked transfer

Class: Sophomore
Physicals: 6-5, 175 lbs
Last season averages: 17.8 PPG, 4.7 APG, 46% FG, 32.8% 3P

An underrated prospect coming out of high school, Wilkins splashed on the scene this year at Furman. As a freshman, he led his team to the NCAA Tournament, averaging 17.8 points and 4.7 assists and earning second team All-SoCon honors.

There were few players as critical to their team’s success as Wilkins, leading the SoCon in possession usage (34.4%) and shot usage (31.7%). That does lend some explanation to his poor shooting splits and turnover concerns (3.8 turnovers per game).

A quick, wirey guard, Wilkins is a capable scorer at all three levels, and can create for his teammates. However, he needs to add some muscle for power conference competition, and needs to have more consistent effort on the defensive end.

A freshman, those are both correctable things.

Isaac Celiscar (Forward, Yale), 4⭐️, 84th-ranked transfer

Class: Junior
Physicals: 6-6, 210 lbs
Last season averages: 13.2 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 3.2 APG, 57.3% FG, 40.7% 3P

Isaac Celiscar is one of the most efficient, versatile players in the transfer portal.

The first takeaway, averaging 13.2 point per game with 57.3 percent shooting, he is extremely efficient on limited opportunities. Shooting nearly 41 percent from deep, he is a threat from deep as well. That efficiency carries over to his passing, as he averages more than three assists per game, on just 1.3 turnovers per game.

Celiscar grades out as a glue-guy with great offensive skills and good feel for the game, but he does have limitations in terms of his athleticism and shot creation.

Jalen Cox (Guard, Colgate), 3⭐️ , 149th-ranked transfer

Class: Senior
Physicals: 6-3, 180 lbs
Last season averages: 17.9 PPG, 5.3 APG, 5.0 RPG, 52.1% FG, 36.5% 3P

Jalen Cox is the lowest ranked player Kentucky has reached out to, but the Wildcats need depth and Cox is a experienced guard with proven production.

Averaging 17.9 points and 5.3 assists (2.0+ assist-to-turnover ratio) per game on 52 percent shooting from the field, Cox is a versatile and efficient offensive player. He has also multiple conference All-Defense selections too, making him a two way player.

The biggest concern with Cox is his athletic ceiling and how that translates to power conference competition. However an experienced two way player is a great rotation piece.

BB Recruiting

Top Five Transfer Paulius Murauskas Moves Up Call, Talks With Kentucky on Wednesday

Published

1 week ago

April 8, 2026

Tristan Pharis

Kentucky met with Saint Mary's transfer Paulius Muruaskas, one of the top forwards in the transfer portal, on Wednesday and is looking to schedule a visit for him to come to Lexington.

Saint Mary's Athletics

Mark Pope and the Kentucky Wildcats are as busy as anyone in the transfer portal. On Wednesday, they met with their biggest fish of this transfer portal cycle so far, Paulius Murauskas.

Originally scheduled for Thursday, the Wildcats met with Murauskas via Zoom video call on Wednesday, per source.

Currently ranked 4th overall in 247Sports transfer rankings, the top-ranked forward, Murauskas is the prototypical modern basketball player. Good size at 6-foot-8, 235 pounds, with the ability to create for himself and others, has a good handle, and overall good feel for the game.

Murauskas started his collegiate career at Arizona after some professional experience in Lithuania. Playing just five minutes per game with the Wildcats as a freshman, Murauskas transferred to Saint Mary’s, where he has flourished and earned All-Conference honors the last two seasons.

This past season, Murauskas averaged 18.4 points and 7.6 rebounds, on 48.2 percent shooting from the field and 33.3 percent from deep. As for his weaknesses, he is not super athletic, and he does need to be more consistent with his shot.

Originally thought to follow former Saint Mary’s head coach Randy Bennett to Arizona State, Murauskas is exploring all options. Following the Zoom, Kentucky is trying to get him on campus for a visit in the near future.