Kansas Rolls Without Darryn Peterson, But His Return Could Be Just Around the Corner
Heading into Saturday night’s matchup in Manhattan, Kansas fans had every reason to feel uneasy. The Jayhawks were without their leading scorer, Darryn Peterson, who sprained his ankle earlier in the week during a 75-69 win over Colorado. Head coach Bill Self didn’t sugarcoat it-Peterson wasn’t himself after the injury, and it showed.
So when the news broke that Peterson would officially sit out against Kansas State, it felt like the deck was stacked against the Jayhawks. Not only were they missing their star, but they were walking into a building where they hadn’t won since the 2021-22 season. That’s a long drought in a rivalry like this.
But Kansas didn’t just survive-they dominated.
The Jayhawks stormed into Bramlage Coliseum and put together one of their most complete performances of the season, cruising to an 86-62 win over their in-state rivals. It was a balanced, team-first effort that showed just how deep this Kansas roster really is. Five players scored in double figures, and each of them brought something different to the table.
Flory Bidunga led the way with 21 points, showing off the physical tools that make him such a matchup nightmare in the paint. Elmarko Jackson chipped in 19, continuing his steady emergence as a key piece in the backcourt. Melvin Council Jr. added 17, Bryson Tiller poured in 16, and Tre White rounded out the group with 13.
This wasn’t just a win-it was a statement. Kansas didn’t just weather the absence of their star; they imposed their will in a hostile environment.
And while the offense was humming, the defensive effort was just as impressive. They held Kansas State to just 62 points and took the crowd out of it early.
After the game, Self gave an encouraging update on Peterson’s status-and it sounds like a return could be coming soon.
“I think he’ll play,” Self said. “I don’t know for a fact-I’m not a doctor-but I think he’ll play.”
Self made it clear that if Peterson had suited up Saturday, he wouldn’t have been able to contribute much. “He couldn’t have pushed off today,” Self explained. “That game obviously means a lot to a lot of people, and they’re terrific, and [College] GameDay will make it extra hype, so I don’t see any reason that he couldn’t play.”
That next game? It’s a big one. With College GameDay in town, the stakes will be high, and the Jayhawks will want their star scorer back in the mix.
When healthy, Peterson has been nothing short of electric. In just 27.2 minutes per game, he’s averaging 21.6 points-an eye-popping number considering his limited floor time. Earlier this month, he dropped a career-high 32 points in a wild 104-100 overtime win against TCU, showcasing the kind of offensive firepower that has NBA scouts circling his name as a potential No. 1 overall pick.
But it hasn’t been a smooth ride. Cramping issues and hamstring tightness have made it a stop-and-start season for Peterson, limiting him to just 10 games. Even so, he’s managed to leave a massive imprint every time he steps on the court.
Kansas just proved they can win big without him-but there’s no question they’re at their best when Peterson is healthy and in rhythm. If he’s ready to go for the next one, the Jayhawks could be gearing up for another statement performance-with their star back in the spotlight.