Kansas Outlasts BYU in Star-Studded Showdown, but Darryn Peterson's Health Looms Large
LAWRENCE, Kan. - Allen Fieldhouse has seen its fair share of unforgettable moments, but Saturday’s clash between Kansas and BYU brought a different kind of electricity. Not just a pivotal Big 12 battle, this game was a showcase of the future - a head-to-head between the top two projected picks in the 2025 NBA Draft: Kansas’ Darryn Peterson and BYU’s AJ Dybantsa.
The hype was real, and so was the atmosphere. ESPN’s College Gameday was in the building.
Kansas legend Paul Pierce was courtside. Even Tyran Stokes - the No. 1 high school player in the class of 2026 - made the trip to Lawrence.
The Fieldhouse was rocking from warmups to the final buzzer.
And for a while, it looked like the night belonged entirely to Peterson.
Peterson’s First-Half Brilliance
In just 20 minutes of play, Peterson reminded everyone why he was the top-ranked high school player in the country and the early favorite to go No. 1 in June. He put up 18 points in the first half with a mix of smooth perimeter shooting, explosive drives, and high-level defensive plays that had the home crowd buzzing.
The highlight? A thunderous, contested dunk down the right lane that nearly blew the roof off Allen Fieldhouse. It was the kind of moment that gets replayed for years - not just because of the athleticism, but because of the message it sent: Peterson, when healthy, is a game-changer.
But that “when healthy” caveat continues to hover over Kansas’ season.
Another Setback
Just minutes into the second half, Peterson checked himself out of the game - and didn’t return. Cramping issues, which have plagued him throughout the season, flared up again. He’s now played in just 11 of Kansas’ 21 games, and his availability has been a week-to-week question mark.
For head coach Bill Self, it’s a frustrating pattern, especially knowing what a fully healthy Peterson brings to the table.
“That was the real DP there,” Self said postgame. “You guys haven’t seen it like we have. It’s just unfortunate that we didn’t see it for 40 minutes.”
Peterson’s absence changed the game - and nearly cost Kansas the win.
BYU’s Comeback Falls Short
Down 20 at the half, BYU stormed back behind a career night from senior Richie Saunders, who dropped 33 points and nearly willed the Cougars to a comeback win. But Kansas held on, improving to 6-2 in Big 12 play with a 90-82 victory that felt more nerve-wracking than the final score suggests.
While Dybantsa didn’t dominate the stat sheet, he still managed 17 points and showed flashes of the skill set that’s made him one of the most talked-about freshmen in the country. Matched up often against Kansas big man Flory Bidunga, Dybantsa had to work for everything. His first half was quiet, but he adjusted in the second, attacking off the dribble and creating for others when the defense collapsed.
“I thought he was OK,” BYU coach Kevin Young said. “He held the ball a little too much early, but he got better as the game went on. He started getting to his spots and making plays.”
Young also noted the lack of trips to the free-throw line for Dybantsa - just four on the night - despite leading the country in fouls drawn. But the freshman didn’t let it rattle him, staying composed in a high-pressure environment.
Kansas’ Supporting Cast Steps Up
With Peterson sidelined, Kansas needed others to step up - and they did. Senior guard Melvin Council continues to be a steadying presence in crunch time, while freshman big man Bryson Tiller turned in his best performance of the season. Tiller finished with 21 points, including three first-half threes, and added seven rebounds in a breakout showing.
Tiller’s growth could be a major development for Kansas moving forward, especially if Peterson’s availability remains up in the air.
Now sitting at 16-5 overall, the Jayhawks are rounding into form. But if they want to make a serious run in March - something they haven’t done since winning it all in 2022 - they’ll need their star freshman on the floor.
“We can be competitive,” Self said. “But for us to actually have a chance to do anything that I would consider to be special, we need everybody healthy.”
That’s the reality for this Kansas team. With Peterson, they’ve got Final Four potential. Without him, the margin for error gets a whole lot thinner.
Next up: Texas Tech. And once again, all eyes will be on No. 0 - not just to see if he plays, but to see if he can stay on the floor.