The calendar is about to flip to January, and that means one thing in college hoops: it’s time for conference play. For No.
17 Kansas, the road to March starts with a trip to Orlando on January 3rd to face UCF, and the intensity only ramps up from here. The non-conference slate gave us a glimpse of what this Jayhawks team can be-but also what they still need to figure out.
Let’s start with the obvious: the early part of the season has been shaped by the absence of star freshman Darryn Peterson. He’s missed nine games due to injury, and while Kansas has managed to stay afloat, his absence has left a noticeable gap in both production and identity.
The good news? Others have stepped up, and none more dramatically than Melvin Council Jr., who poured in 36 points in an overtime thriller against NC State earlier this month.
That kind of performance doesn’t just win you games-it builds trust, both in the locker room and among the fanbase.
Still, the Jayhawks remain a bit of a mystery. National analysts have taken notice, with Kansas receiving a somewhat unusual “Incomplete” grade in recent recruiting class evaluations.
And it’s not hard to see why. Peterson’s health is the biggest variable in this equation.
When he’s on the floor, his talent is undeniable-and his potential as a future No. 1 overall NBA Draft pick is very real. But leg injuries, especially calf strains, carry long-term risks.
We’ve seen how they’ve derailed careers or led to more serious issues down the line. Kansas is understandably cautious with a player who could very well be the cornerstone of their season-and his own future.
While Peterson works his way back, the rest of the freshman class is getting trial by fire. Paul Mbiya, Kohl Rosario, Samis Calderon, and Corbin Allen round out the group, though Allen is redshirting and won’t suit up this season.
Mbiya, a big-bodied forward, has been largely limited in minutes-and that’s less a knock on him and more a testament to how dominant Flory Bidunga has been. Bidunga is averaging nearly 15 points and over 9 boards a game, anchoring the paint with the kind of physicality and touch that Kansas fans hoped for when he committed. With Bidunga playing at that level, Mbiya’s opportunities have been scarce-his high mark in minutes played this season is just 11.
Rosario, on the other hand, has shown flashes of what he can become. He’s had two double-digit scoring games-13 points against Davidson and 16 against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi-both in blowout wins.
His shooting has been inconsistent at times, but when he’s aggressive and playing with confidence, you can see the upside. Rosario has the tools to be a versatile scorer.
He’s capable of driving to the rim with control and can knock down the three when he’s in rhythm. That kind of two-level scoring is valuable, especially in Big 12 play where defenses are relentless.
As for Calderon, his impact has been minimal so far. He’s logged just 46 minutes total this season, averaging under a point per game, but he’s shown some hustle on the boards and flashes of court vision. He’s still clearly in development mode, and with Kansas chasing wins in a loaded conference, his opportunities may continue to be limited.
So where does that leave Kansas heading into January? This is a team with a high ceiling, but still a few unknowns.
Peterson’s health is the biggest domino. If he returns and looks like the five-star phenom he’s projected to be, Kansas could be a second-weekend tournament team with the potential to go even further.
But even without him, the Jayhawks are finding ways to compete-and more importantly, to grow.
Conference play is where contenders separate from pretenders. Kansas has the talent.
Now it’s about putting the pieces together, staying healthy, and finding consistency. The road ahead is tough, but the Jayhawks have the depth, the star power (pending Peterson’s return), and the coaching to make noise.
The journey starts in Orlando-and from there, it only gets more interesting.