Kansas Rolls Past Davidson, But Questions Swirl Around Darryn Peterson’s Absence
The Kansas Jayhawks cruised to a 90-61 win over Davidson on Monday night at Allen Fieldhouse, putting together a complete performance on both ends of the floor. But as dominant as the Jayhawks looked on the court, one name continues to loom large in his absence: Darryn Peterson.
Peterson, the highly touted freshman and one of the most electric young talents in the country, hasn’t played since December 13 against NC State. After Monday’s win, head coach Bill Self addressed the situation, explaining that the decision for Peterson to remain sidelined has been made in conjunction with his family.
“They want him to be as close to 100% as possible,” Self said postgame. “And he’s not there yet.
It’s a day-to-day deal. I wish he could have played tonight.”
Self emphasized that he supports the family’s cautious approach, reiterating that the final call will ultimately rest with Peterson himself. The tone from the veteran coach was measured, but it’s clear this is an unusual situation for a program that’s used to having its stars suit up when healthy enough to go.
Peterson’s absence is drawing attention not just because of his talent, but because of the broader context of today’s college athletics landscape. In the NIL era-where athletes are compensated for their name, image, and likeness-Peterson is among those earning significant income to wear the crimson and blue. That reality naturally invites scrutiny when a top player is on the bench for an extended period without a clearly defined injury timeline.
For Kansas fans and donors who continue to invest in the program through NIL collectives and fundraising efforts, the situation raises fair questions. In a system where players are now stakeholders, not just student-athletes, the balance of power has shifted. And with that shift comes new dynamics-ones that programs, fans, and players alike are still figuring out how to navigate.
This isn’t about questioning toughness or commitment. It’s about transparency and expectations in a new era of college sports. When a player of Peterson’s caliber is unavailable for multiple games and the only update is that he’s waiting to feel “close to 100%,” it’s natural for eyebrows to raise-especially in a basketball town like Lawrence, where passion runs deep and the stakes are always high.
Kansas has managed just fine without him for now, stacking wins and building momentum heading into the heart of the season. But the longer this goes on, the louder the questions will get. Not just about Peterson’s timeline, but about how programs like KU adjust to a world where elite players have more say than ever before.
For now, the Jayhawks will keep rolling, and Peterson will remain day-to-day. But make no mistake-this is a storyline that isn’t going away anytime soon.