All Eyes on Allen Fieldhouse: Peterson vs. Dybantsa Headlines a Heavyweight Big 12 Showdown
The stage doesn’t get much bigger than this.
No. 13 BYU heads to Lawrence this Saturday for a marquee Big 12 clash against No.
14 Kansas at Allen Fieldhouse - one of college basketball’s most iconic venues, and a place where visiting dreams often go to die. But this isn’t just another ranked matchup.
This is a showcase. A proving ground.
And it’s headlined by two of the most electrifying young players in the country: Darryn Peterson and AJ Dybantsa.
These aren’t just future NBA players - they’re the projected top two picks in the 2026 draft, and they’re about to go head-to-head on national television with ESPN’s College GameDay in the building and a sea of NBA scouts watching every move.
A Rivalry Renewed - With Higher Stakes
This won’t be the first time Peterson and Dybantsa share the court. Their last meeting, back in high school, was the stuff of legend.
Peterson dropped 58 points and hit a game-winner with a second left on the clock. Dybantsa?
He poured in 49 of his own. That duel became instant folklore among talent evaluators, and now, we get the sequel - only this time, it's in front of a packed Allen Fieldhouse and with the college basketball world hanging on every possession.
Peterson, Kansas’ freshman phenom, is expected to return to the lineup after nursing a sprained ankle. Despite missing time with injuries this season, he’s been a model of efficiency - averaging 21.6 points and 4.6 rebounds in just 10 games while shooting a scorching 42% from beyond the arc. His game is polished, NBA-ready, and eerily smooth for someone so young.
Dybantsa, meanwhile, has been nothing short of historic for BYU. He comes into this game as the nation’s second-leading scorer at 23.6 points per game, and he’s fresh off a 43-point explosion against Utah - a performance that shattered BYU’s freshman single-game scoring record and put him in the same breath as Cougar legends like Danny Ainge. He’s also pulling down 6.7 boards and dishing out 3.6 assists per game, leading BYU to a 17-3 start and cementing himself as a legitimate No. 1 pick contender.
More Than Just the Headliners
As tantalizing as the Peterson-Dybantsa showdown is, this game is far from a two-man show.
Kansas has quietly built one of the deepest rosters in the country. Flory Bidunga has emerged as a dominant force in the paint, giving the Jayhawks a physical edge inside.
Guards Melvin Council Jr. and Tre White have stepped up in a big way during Peterson’s absence, keeping the offense humming and the defense tight. This team hasn’t just weathered the storm - they’ve grown from it.
On the other side, BYU’s offensive system under Kevin Young has been a revelation. It’s an NBA-style attack that spaces the floor, moves the ball, and punishes defenses from every level.
Keba Keita has been a beast down low, while Richie Saunders has been lights-out from the perimeter. When the Cougars get rolling, they can put up points in bunches - and fast.
A Venue That Tilts the Scales
Then there’s Allen Fieldhouse. The cathedral of college hoops.
Under Bill Self, Kansas has turned it into a fortress. Self has coached 362 games in that building - and lost just 22.
That’s not a typo. It’s one of the toughest environments in all of sports, and with the 1,000th game at Allen Fieldhouse on tap, the energy will be off the charts.
BYU comes in looking to bounce back after a tough one-point loss to top-ranked Arizona. But make no mistake - the Cougars are battle-tested, and they’ve proven they can hang with anyone.
What’s at Stake?
This isn’t just a battle for Big 12 positioning. It’s a potential preview of what we’ll see in June on draft night.
It’s a chance for two elite freshmen to stake their claim as the guy in a loaded draft class. And it’s a measuring stick for two programs with legitimate Final Four aspirations.
When the ball tips at 4:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, it won’t just be a basketball game - it’ll be a spectacle.
A showcase of talent, toughness, and future stardom. Whether you’re an NBA scout, a college hoops junkie, or just a fan of the game, this is must-see TV.
How to Watch
- 📅 Date: Saturday, Jan. 31
- 🕟 Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
- 📍 Location: Allen Fieldhouse - Lawrence, Kansas
- 📺 TV: ESPN
- 📲 Streaming: ESPN App
Dan Shulman will be on the call with Jay Bilas providing analysis. ESPN’s College GameDay crew - Rece Davis, Jay Williams, Jay Bilas, Seth Greenberg, and Andraya Carter - will be on-site to set the stage.
What’s Next?
BYU Upcoming Games:
- Feb.
4 @ Oklahoma State - 9:00 p.m. ET
- Feb. 7 vs. Houston - 9:30 p.m.
ET
- Feb.
10 @ Baylor - 7:00 p.m. ET
- Feb. 14 vs. Colorado - 3:00 p.m.
ET
- Feb.
18 @ Arizona - 9:00 p.m. ET
Kansas Upcoming Games:
- Feb.
2 @ Texas Tech - 9:00 p.m. ET
- Feb. 7 vs. Utah - 2:30 p.m.
ET
- Feb. 9 vs.
Arizona - 9:00 p.m. ET
- Feb. 14 @ Iowa State - 1:00 p.m.
ET
- Feb.
18 @ Oklahoma State - 9:00 p.m. ET
Bottom line: This isn’t just about rankings or records. It’s about the future of basketball.
Peterson vs. Dybantsa is the kind of matchup we’ll be talking about for years - and it’s happening on one of the sport’s biggest stages.
Buckle up.