Kansas Fights Off BYU in Gritty Win, But Depth Concerns Loom Ahead of Texas Tech Showdown
Kansas had to dig deep - and then dig even deeper - to hold off No. 13 BYU in a 90-82 win at Allen Fieldhouse on Saturday.
The Jayhawks came out swinging early, feeding off a raucous home crowd and building a big first-half lead. But by the time the final minutes rolled around, they were running on fumes.
Head coach Bill Self didn’t mince words after the game: “We were exhausted on both ends.” And it showed.
Kansas had built up an 18-point cushion with nine minutes left, but that lead became more of a life raft than a luxury as BYU made its push. The Jayhawks held on, but just barely.
The energy spent in the first half - fueled by adrenaline and an electric atmosphere - came at a cost. Self called it one of the best environments he’s ever seen in Allen Fieldhouse, and the team fed off it early. But when the adrenaline wore off, it was clear Kansas didn’t have much left in the tank - and not much depth to fall back on.
Part of that was out of their hands. Guard Elmarko Jackson, one of KU’s best perimeter defenders and a key contributor offensively, exited midway through the first half after a collision with BYU’s AJ Dybantsa.
Jackson, who’s been working his way back from a torn patellar tendon suffered in the summer of 2024, had been feeling the best he had in months. But a bump on the knee ended his afternoon early.
Then came another blow: Darryn Peterson, KU’s dynamic star guard, was sidelined for most of the second half with cramping issues - something that’s plagued him before, but hit earlier than usual this time. Self admitted he wasn’t sure why it flared up so quickly, but the impact was clear. Without Peterson and Jackson, Kansas was forced to shorten its rotation significantly.
That meant extended minutes for freshman wing Mari McDowell - his most since early December - and even a brief stint for Jayden Dawson. In all, Kansas essentially played with a six-man rotation down the stretch, relying on grit and the cushion they’d built to survive BYU’s comeback attempt.
Now, the turnaround is quick. Kansas travels to Lubbock to face Texas Tech on Big Monday - and that’s no easy task, especially with a roster that’s already running on empty. The Red Raiders have been a tough out at United Supermarkets Arena, and KU fans haven’t forgotten the 79-50 drubbing they took there in 2024.
But for KU’s players, it’s just another challenge in a long season.
“This is what we came to Kansas for, for games like this,” said Melvin Council Jr. “Just next game up. We just got to practice tomorrow, have a good practice, and we should be good.”
That "practice" may be more mental than physical. Self hinted Sunday could be more of a walkthrough than a full session, with conserving energy the top priority.
Texas Tech, meanwhile, is coming off just its second Big 12 loss of the season - an 88-80 setback at UCF. Despite the loss, the Red Raiders remain one of the most dangerous teams in the league, led by preseason Big 12 Player of the Year JT Toppin.
The forward was dominant again, posting 27 points and 10 rebounds in the loss. Point guard Christian Anderson added 17 points and nine assists, but Tech’s supporting cast struggled, and they were uncharacteristically sloppy - committing 13 turnovers and getting outrebounded 35-23.
That’s not typical for a team that usually controls the glass and takes care of the ball. Toppin leads the Big 12 in rebounds during league play, averaging 11.3 per game. And while Texas Tech doesn’t lead the league in steals or defensive metrics, they’ve been efficient enough to win - especially when their shooters are clicking.
That’s where Kansas will need to be sharp. Tech is one of the best 3-point shooting teams in the country, ranking top 10 nationally in makes per game.
Anderson is a big reason why - he’s averaging nearly 20 points per game while hitting 43.6% from deep. He’s joined by sharpshooter Atwell, a UNC Greensboro transfer who’s knocking down over 44% from three himself.
Add in 6-foot-6 LeJuan Watts, a talented Washington State transfer averaging 12.7 points and 6.2 rebounds, and freshman Jaylen Petty, and you’ve got a Tech offense that can stretch you in a hurry.
“We got to guard the short roll, and we got to guard Anderson,” Self said. “So we’ll try to figure something out to maybe give us a better chance.”
The good news for Kansas? Self expects both Jackson and Peterson to be available on Monday. Jackson’s postgame tests looked promising, and while Peterson’s minutes may still be limited depending on how his body responds, having both players in uniform is a step in the right direction.
Still, the margin for error is thin. If Kansas wants to make a serious run in the Big 12 and beyond, they need to get - and stay - healthy.
“We can be competitive,” Self said. “But for us to have a chance to actually do anything that I would consider to be a special type of deal, we need everybody healthy.”
Kansas showed fight against BYU. But Monday night in Lubbock?
That’s going to take more than heart. It’s going to take bodies - and whatever fuel is left in the tank.