Bill Self is no stranger to navigating adversity. Now in his 33rd season as a head coach and approaching 800 games at the helm of the Kansas Jayhawks, Self has seen just about everything college basketball can throw at a program. But this season’s non-conference stretch might’ve tested his adaptability more than most-largely due to the absence of star guard Darryn Peterson.
Self himself gave the early season a B+ grade, and honestly, that feels about right. Kansas handled the games they were supposed to win with little trouble.
But when they went toe-to-toe with the nation’s elite-like No. 5 Duke and No.
5 UConn-they came up short. A 78-66 loss to Duke and a 61-56 defeat to UConn both had fans wondering what might’ve been if Peterson had been available.
That’s a fair question, but it’s not the whole story. Kansas didn’t just miss Peterson’s shot-making-they also struggled to generate consistent bench production, which could’ve changed the outcome in either game.
Still, one of the more impressive aspects of this early season has been how Self has managed the absence of his top guard. Rather than relying on one player to fill the void, he’s distributed the responsibility across the roster-and the response has been encouraging.
Melvin Council Jr., Tre White, and freshman Flory Bidunga have all taken noticeable steps forward. Their individual growth has helped Kansas maintain its identity, even without its most dynamic backcourt piece.
The most recent performance-a dominant 90-61 win over Davidson-might’ve been the clearest sign yet that this team is starting to click. For much of the early season, Kansas’ offense looked like it was stuck in second gear.
Ball movement was sluggish, pace was inconsistent, and the halfcourt sets didn’t always lead to clean looks. But against Davidson, the Jayhawks looked like a team in rhythm.
The offense flowed. The ball zipped around the perimeter.
Kansas executed its sets with confidence and precision, putting up its most points in a single half since February of last season.
That kind of offensive performance isn’t just about hot shooting-it’s about chemistry. And for a team that’s still finding its identity without Peterson, that chemistry is gold. If Kansas can build on what it showed against Davidson, especially with conference play looming, they could be peaking at just the right time.
Because here’s the thing: the Big 12 isn’t going to wait for Kansas to figure it out. It’s one of the deepest, most competitive leagues in the country. But if the Jayhawks are rounding into form, and if the supporting cast continues to rise to the occasion, then this team could be a real problem for anyone standing in their way.
Self has been here before. He knows how to guide a team through a tough stretch and come out stronger on the other side. And with signs pointing to a potential turning point, Kansas fans have every reason to believe that the best basketball of the season might still be ahead.