Kansas Basketball Faces Key Test as Darryn Peterson Nears Return
For nearly a month, Kansas has been figuring things out without Darryn Peterson - their top shot creator and a key engine of the offense - sidelined with a hamstring injury. And while the Jayhawks have held their own in his absence, the possible return of their star freshman against UConn presents a new challenge: reintegrating a ball-dominant player into a team that’s been learning how to thrive without him.
Let’s be clear - Peterson’s talent isn’t in question. He’s a dynamic scorer with elite shot-making ability, and he’s typically the guy with the ball in his hands when Kansas needs a bucket.
But without him, the Jayhawks have had to pivot. Instead of relying on isolation sets or half-court execution led by Peterson, they’ve leaned into a more collective approach - one built on defense, transition play, and shared responsibility.
That shift has opened the door for others to step into larger roles. Flory Bidunga, in particular, has emerged as a more assertive offensive presence.
Tre White has also taken on more scoring responsibility. And perhaps most notably, Melvin Council Jr. has stepped up as the lead ball handler.
While Council doesn’t bring the same scoring punch as Peterson, he’s excelled at pushing the pace and orchestrating the fast break - a style that’s allowed Kansas to generate offense even when the half-court sets have stalled.
Now, with Peterson potentially returning to the lineup, the question becomes: how does Kansas maintain that rhythm while reintroducing a player who naturally commands the ball?
Peterson is at his best when he’s creating in isolation, breaking defenders down and getting to his spots. But that style can shift the offensive balance, especially when teammates have been thriving in a more free-flowing, team-oriented system.
In the two games Peterson did play earlier this season, the offense looked noticeably different. Bidunga wasn’t as aggressive, and others deferred, letting Peterson take the lead.
That’s not necessarily a bad thing - again, Peterson is a high-level talent - but it does require recalibration. Basketball is a five-man game, and even the most gifted scorers need to operate within a framework that keeps everyone engaged.
That’s where head coach Bill Self comes in. His challenge now is to find the right mix: allowing Peterson to do what he does best, while also preserving the chemistry and confidence that’s been building across the roster.
The other key storyline to watch? How the rest of the team responds.
Will Bidunga continue to attack when he sees an opening? Will White stay aggressive with the ball in his hands?
That mindset will be crucial. Peterson’s return shouldn’t mean a return to passivity for the supporting cast - it should raise the ceiling for everyone.
There’s no doubt Kansas is better with Peterson available. But when a team has been playing a different brand of basketball for several games - one that’s been working - there’s always an adjustment period when a high-usage player comes back into the fold.
Whether that adjustment happens quickly or becomes a longer process will be something to watch closely, especially with a major test like UConn on the schedule.
At the time of writing, Peterson’s status remains uncertain. But if he does suit up tonight, all eyes will be on how Kansas balances old habits with new growth - and whether they can blend Peterson’s individual brilliance with the team-first identity they’ve been building in his absence.