Saturday’s college basketball slate is packed, but one matchup towers above the rest - and not just because it features two of the top teams in the country. When No.
13 BYU heads into Allen Fieldhouse to take on No. 14 Kansas, it’s more than just a ranked showdown.
It’s a collision of Big 12 title contenders, a potential March preview, and, yes, a spotlight moment for two of the most electrifying freshmen in the nation: AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson.
These two are already being talked about as the top prospects in this summer’s NBA Draft, and for good reason. Dybantsa brings a rare blend of length, athleticism, and scoring touch, while Peterson is the kind of bucket-getter who can take over a game in a flash. But as Kansas head coach Bill Self emphasized this week, this game isn’t just about two names on the marquee - it’s about the teams behind them.
“Two great, great prospects. Two of the better prospects we’ve had in recent memory,” Self said during an appearance on Inside College Basketball Now.
“But it’s still Kansas vs. BYU.
The players who understand that and play to that will give their team the best chance to win. This isn’t a one-on-one deal.
This is a team-vs.-team deal.”
That’s a message steeped in experience. Self knows the hype machine will focus on the individual matchup - and it’s a compelling one - but what really matters is which team executes better in the trenches of a high-stakes Big 12 battle. The team that keeps its composure, adjusts on the fly, and wins the little moments will likely come out on top.
Respect for BYU Runs Deep
Self didn’t hold back when asked about what he sees in BYU, a team that’s quickly made its presence felt in the Big 12 under first-year head coach Kevin Young.
“Love them,” Self said. “I think Kevin has done a great job in a short amount of time.
They can stretch it from all four spots. They play around the big.
They have rim protection.”
While Dybantsa might be the headliner, Self pointed out that BYU is far from a one-man show. Rob Wright and Richie Saunders have both been impact players, and Saunders in particular has caught Self’s eye.
“Saunders has been just killer the last two years,” Self said. “He is so good and he gets such great elevation on his jumper that it’s a hard one to contest. He’s making shots.”
That kind of praise from a coach like Self isn’t handed out lightly. He sees a BYU team that’s not only talented, but also tough, versatile, and built to compete in the most rugged conference in the country.
Big 12: A Gauntlet Like No Other
Speaking of rugged, Self didn’t mince words when describing the Big 12 this season. In his view, the league is as deep and dangerous as it’s ever been - and that’s saying something.
“If you’re one of the best four or five teams in our league, you may have a legitimate shot [at a national championship],” he said. “It’s different. It’s what the SEC was last year, as far as [the Big 12] this year.”
He pointed to Arizona’s recent trip to BYU as a prime example of just how tough the road can be. “Watching Arizona play in that atmosphere at BYU the other day - who’s gonna beat those guys?”
And it doesn’t stop there. Houston, Texas Tech, Iowa State - the list of legitimate contenders goes on.
“I really think there’s six teams, six or seven teams that if they get hot at the right time, could do a lot of damage [in the tournament],” Self said. “It’s a monster league.”
Peterson’s Old-School Game Turning Heads
When it comes to Darryn Peterson, Self sees a player whose game stands out in today’s analytics-driven, three-point-heavy era. The Kansas coach compared Peterson’s style to that of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - a player who thrives in the midrange and doesn’t rely solely on threes or rim attacks to get his points.
“He’s got just a natural ability to go make a basket,” Self said. “He can go get his own inside the arc as well as anybody I’ve ever coached.”
That’s high praise, especially coming from someone who’s seen more than his share of elite talent come through Lawrence.
The Drive for Banner No. 3
As for Self himself, the fire still burns. He’s already brought two national championships to Kansas, but he’s not satisfied.
“I think about it all the time,” he said. “The reason is because you got to get one [championship], and two’s so much better than one, and three would be so much better, too. That to me is what drives us and that’s what drives me.”
Self admits that Kansas hasn’t quite been at the national contender level the past two seasons, even if the Jayhawks have remained competitive. But this year? The potential is there - and he knows it.
“I don’t know that we are [there] quite yet,” he said. “I think we can be very easily when we get all our pieces.
So, that’s what I want to do. I want to be in the game.
I want to play in the games that count the most. That’s what drives us.”
Saturday’s Stakes Are Clear
So when BYU and Kansas tip off on Saturday, there’s no shortage of storylines. Two elite programs, two top-tier freshmen, and a conference race that’s heating up fast.
Yes, Dybantsa vs. Peterson will draw the headlines, and rightfully so.
But the real story will be told in how each team responds to the moment - and how they execute when the lights are brightest.
In a Big 12 season that’s already shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent memory, this is more than just a ranked matchup. It’s a measuring stick. And for Kansas, BYU, and the rest of the league, it’s another reminder that every game matters - especially when March is just around the corner.