When Darryn Peterson is on the floor, Kansas looks like a different team-more explosive, more confident, and frankly, more dangerous. The freshman phenom has only suited up for eight games this season due to a nagging hamstring injury, but every time he plays, he reminds the college basketball world exactly why he’s being talked about as the most electric player in the country.
Friday night at Allen Fieldhouse was another reminder. In just 23 minutes of action, Peterson dropped 26 points on Baylor, shooting an absurd 11-of-13 from the field, including 2-of-4 from deep.
He added three assists, two rebounds, and a steal, helping Kansas cruise to an 80-62 win in a game that never felt close once he got going. That’s not just production-that’s dominance in a conference known for grinding, physical basketball.
And it’s not just the numbers. It’s how he gets them.
Peterson’s game is smooth, efficient, and explosive. He doesn’t force shots-he creates them.
He doesn’t just score-he controls the tempo. Watching him operate, even in limited minutes, is like watching a veteran pro dropped into the middle of a college game.
But the injury concerns are real, and they’re clearly weighing on both Peterson and head coach Bill Self. After the game, Self revealed there was a bit of back-and-forth about Peterson’s playing time.
“When Darryn asked to come out at the 16-minute mark, he was done,” Self said. “But I told him, ‘You’re going back in.’ Then he asked to come right back out after he went in.”
That exchange tells you everything about the tightrope Kansas is walking. On one hand, they’ve got a generational talent who can change the trajectory of their season.
On the other, they’ve got to protect that talent from pushing too hard, too fast. It’s a balancing act-one that could define the Jayhawks’ season.
Still, when Peterson is active, the ceiling for this Kansas team skyrockets. He’s the kind of player who doesn’t just help you win games-he makes you believe a national title is within reach. Big 12 defenses are no joke, and putting up 26 points on 85% shooting in that environment isn’t just impressive-it’s almost unheard of.
The buzz around Peterson is growing louder with each performance. Social media lit up after the Baylor game, with analysts and fans alike marveling at his efficiency and poise. One post summed it up perfectly: “College basketball is ridiculously easy for Darryn Peterson.”
That might sound like hyperbole, but if you’ve watched him play, it’s hard to argue. He’s not just excelling-he’s making elite competition look ordinary. And that’s rare.
Of course, none of it will matter if the hamstring doesn’t hold up. Kansas needs Peterson healthy in March, not just spectacular in spurts. But if he can stay on the court, even in limited minutes, the Jayhawks are built to make a deep run.
With Peterson leading the way-even at 75 or 80 percent-Kansas isn’t just a contender. They’re a threat to cut down the nets.