Kansas may be getting a key piece back just in time for a top-15 clash that could have major Big 12 implications.
Freshman guard Darryn Peterson, who missed the Sunflower Showdown against Kansas State due to a sprained ankle, is trending toward a return for Saturday’s marquee matchup between No. 14 Kansas and No.
13 BYU. According to head coach Bill Self, Peterson was close to suiting up last weekend but ultimately wasn’t ready to contribute at full strength.
“I think he’ll play,” Self said after the Kansas State game. “I don’t know for a fact - I’m not a doctor - but I think he’ll play.”
That’s a significant development for the Jayhawks, who are preparing to host a red-hot BYU squad in a game that’s already drawing national attention. ESPN’s College GameDay will be in Lawrence, and tipoff is set for 3:30 p.m. CST on ESPN.
Peterson, one of the most talented freshmen in the country, injured the ankle last week against Colorado. While he was considered a game-time decision for the rivalry matchup in Manhattan, Self made it clear that he wouldn’t have been able to make much of an impact.
“If he played today, he would have been ineffective because he couldn’t have pushed off today,” Self said.
That’s not the kind of limitation you want when facing a scrappy Kansas State team on the road. But with a few more days of recovery under his belt, the hope is that Peterson can return closer to the dynamic version of himself that Kansas fans have quickly come to rely on.
His presence could be a difference-maker against BYU. The Cougars have climbed the rankings thanks to a balanced attack and a defense that doesn’t give up much easily. For Kansas, having Peterson back in the rotation - even if he’s not 100% - could help open up the floor and give the Jayhawks another weapon in a game that figures to be tightly contested.
The stage is set: two top-15 teams, a national audience, and a chance for Kansas to make a statement in the heart of Big 12 play. If Peterson is back and effective, he could be the X-factor that helps tilt the scales in the Jayhawks’ favor.