Kansas Heads to Lubbock for Top-20 Showdown with Texas Tech Amid Questions Around Peterson
The Kansas Jayhawks are riding a five-game win streak, but the road ahead doesn’t get any easier. Next up: a trip to Lubbock to face a Texas Tech team that, despite a recent stumble, remains one of the toughest outs in the Big 12.
This one’s got all the ingredients for a classic conference clash - two top-20 teams, matching 16-5 records, and a whole lot of implications for the Big 12 standings. Tipoff is set for Monday at 8:00 p.m. CST inside United Supermarkets Arena, and you can catch it on ESPN or stream it via FuboTV, Disney+, or Hulu with a subscription.
Kansas Keeps Rolling - But Questions Linger
Kansas is coming off an emotional win over BYU, a game that marked the 1,000th in Allen Fieldhouse history. The Jayhawks held off a furious second-half rally from the Cougars to come away with an eight-point win, and while the victory was big, it didn’t come without concern.
Darryn Peterson, who lit up BYU in the first half, exited the game just three minutes into the second half and didn’t return. He sat quietly on the bench while the Cougars clawed their way back, and his status for Monday’s game remains uncertain. That’s becoming a familiar storyline for Kansas - Peterson’s availability has been a question mark more often than not this season, and the Jayhawks have had to learn to adjust on the fly.
Bryson Tiller Steps Up
The good news for Kansas? The supporting cast is starting to find its rhythm.
Bryson Tiller, in particular, continues to emerge as a force. Against BYU, he dropped 21 points and pulled down seven boards, showing off the kind of assertiveness that Kansas fans have been waiting to see.
Over the past few games, Tiller’s been noticeably more aggressive, both in looking for his shot and attacking the glass. That mindset has paid off - and with Peterson’s status up in the air again, the Jayhawks will need another big night from him in Lubbock.
A Familiar Foe with a Shared History
Texas Tech is coming off a surprising loss to UCF - the same UCF team that handed Kansas one of its five defeats earlier this season. That doesn’t make this matchup any less dangerous. The Red Raiders are tough at home, and they’ll be looking to bounce back in a big way.
Both teams enter Monday’s game with identical 16-5 overall records and 6-2 marks in Big 12 play. That puts this game squarely in the “statement win” category - the kind of matchup that could shape the conference race heading into February.
Projected Starting Lineup for Kansas
As of now, Peterson’s availability is still up in the air. If he’s good to go, he’ll likely be in the starting five. If not, expect Jamari McDowell to slide into the lineup, with Elmarko Jackson and Jayden Dawson providing depth off the bench.
Projected Starters:
- Darryn Peterson (if available)
- Melvin Council Jr.
- Tre White
- Bryson Tiller
- Flory Bidunga
What to Watch For
- Peterson’s status: It’s the big question heading into Monday. If he plays, how effective will he be?
If he doesn’t, how will Kansas handle the minutes and scoring load?
- Tiller’s continued emergence: Can he build on his strong performance against BYU and anchor the frontcourt again?
- Road composure: Lubbock isn’t an easy place to play. Kansas has shown resilience, but they’ll need to stay locked in from tip to buzzer.
This one’s got the feel of a heavyweight bout in the Big 12. Two teams with matching records, high-level talent, and something to prove. Whether Peterson suits up or not, Kansas will need to bring its best - because Texas Tech is sure to bring theirs.