Jayhawks Eye Bounce-Back Win at Kansas State Amid Injury Concern for Star Freshman Darryn Peterson
Kansas walked away from Boulder with a 75-69 road win over Colorado, but the victory came with a bit of a limp - literally. Star freshman guard Darryn Peterson rolled his ankle during Tuesday night’s game, and while he pushed through to finish the contest, his status is now front and center as the Jayhawks prepare for a rivalry showdown in Manhattan.
Peterson’s impact was felt all over the floor, as it has been all season when he’s healthy. He poured in 16 points and grabbed six boards in just over 31 minutes of action.
But after the game, the focus quickly shifted to his right ankle, which he tweaked during the second half. Kansas head coach Bill Self offered an update Thursday, acknowledging the sprain is “pretty severe,” but also clarifying that it’s not anything more serious.
“He’s getting treatment, and he’s got a pretty severe ankle sprain, but fortunately that’s all it is - a sprain,” Self said. “So, hopefully he’ll be able to go and play, but we’re not at a point where we can make a decision on that yet.”
That’s both good and bad news for Kansas. On one hand, it’s not a long-term injury. On the other, there’s no guarantee Peterson will be ready for Saturday’s road test against Kansas State - a game that already carries weight, and not just because of the rivalry.
Peterson’s availability could be pivotal. The Jayhawks haven’t beaten the Wildcats in Manhattan since the 2021-22 season - the same year they cut down the nets in New Orleans.
Since then, it’s been a tough stretch on the road in this rivalry, with Kansas dropping three straight in the Little Apple. And given how tight the Big 12 race is shaping up to be, every win - especially on the road - matters.
For Peterson, this season has already had its share of ups and downs. He missed nine non-conference games earlier in the year, but since Big 12 play began, he’s been a constant presence in the lineup.
In his 10 appearances - all starts - he’s averaging a blistering 21.6 points and 4.6 rebounds per game. That kind of production isn’t easy to replace, especially in a hostile environment like Bramlage Coliseum.
If Peterson can go, he gives Kansas a dynamic scoring threat who can create his own shot and stretch defenses. If he can’t, the Jayhawks will need others to step up - and fast - if they want to avoid extending their road woes in conference play.
Kansas enters the weekend at 14-5 overall and 4-2 in Big 12 action. With the conference as deep and competitive as ever, every game is a grind. Saturday’s matchup with Kansas State won’t be any different - and whether or not Peterson is on the court could go a long way in determining how this one plays out.