Kansas Still in Wait-and-See Mode on Darryn Peterson’s Status Ahead of Towson Matchup
As Kansas gears up for its Tuesday night home matchup against Towson, the status of standout freshman Darryn Peterson remains up in the air - and head coach Bill Self isn’t offering much clarity just yet.
Speaking with the media on Monday, Self admitted he didn’t have a definitive answer on whether Peterson would be available. The team took Sunday off from practice, and as of Monday morning, all Self knew was that Peterson was headed to the weight room with teammates ahead of the team’s afternoon session.
What we do know: it’s not a hamstring issue. That was the initial concern when Peterson exited Kansas’ win over NC State this past weekend. But Self cleared that up, saying the discomfort was actually due to cramping in Peterson’s quadriceps - not the hamstring.
“I have not heard the word ‘hamstring’ one time,” Self said, referencing feedback from the team’s medical staff. “It’s got to get addressed, and it hasn’t obviously yet.
And I know that’s so frustrating for him, because he gets out there and he can’t move. And then when you can’t move like you’re normally moving, then you become cautious to try to move, and we’ve got to figure that out.
And we certainly haven’t done it yet.”
It’s been a frustrating stretch for Peterson, who’s missed seven of the Jayhawks’ 11 games so far this season. He played in the first two contests of the year, but was sidelined for a significant portion of the non-conference slate before returning for Kansas’ back-to-back wins over Missouri and NC State.
When he’s on the court, there’s no denying Peterson’s impact. The freshman has been electric in limited action, averaging 19.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game. His scoring instincts and ability to create off the dribble give Kansas a dynamic edge offensively - one that’s tough to replicate.
If Peterson isn’t able to suit up against Towson, expect redshirt sophomore guards Jamari McDowell and Elmarko Jackson to take on larger roles. Both have shown flashes this season and will be counted on to provide stability in the backcourt if Peterson remains sidelined.
The good news for Kansas? Even without Peterson, the Jayhawks should have enough firepower to handle Towson, and likely Davidson on Dec. 22, as they round out their non-conference schedule. The real concern is making sure Peterson is healthy and ready to go when Big 12 play tips off in January - because that’s when Kansas will need all hands on deck.
For now, it’s a waiting game. But with Peterson’s talent and the stakes rising soon, Kansas will be eager to get their young star back at full strength.