Kansas fans got a boost of good news this week: standout freshman Darryn Peterson is expected to be back in the lineup when the Jayhawks host BYU next Saturday in Lawrence. The highly touted guard missed the heated rivalry win at Kansas State due to an ankle injury, but head coach Bill Self sounded optimistic about his return.
“He’ll play,” Self said, before quickly noting he’s not a doctor. Still, the tone was clear - barring any setbacks, Peterson should be available for what’s shaping up to be one of the most anticipated games of the season.
Peterson was close to suiting up against Kansas State, but Self made it clear the decision to hold him out wasn’t just precautionary - it was necessary.
“If he played today, he would have been ineffective because he couldn’t have pushed off,” Self explained.
That tells us a lot. Peterson’s game relies heavily on his explosiveness - his ability to create separation, attack off the dribble, and defend with quick lateral movement.
If he couldn’t plant and push, he wouldn’t have been able to contribute at the level Kansas needs from him. And in a rivalry game as intense as the Sunflower Showdown, anything less than full throttle just wouldn’t cut it.
Now, with a full week to rest and rehab, the timing works in Kansas’ favor. The Jayhawks won’t play again until they host BYU, and that extra cushion could be just what Peterson needs to get back to form.
And make no mistake - this isn’t just any matchup. ESPN’s College GameDay will be in town, turning the spotlight squarely on Allen Fieldhouse. It’s the kind of stage tailor-made for a player like Peterson, who’s already shown flashes of why he was one of the most coveted recruits in the country.
BYU, meanwhile, brings a tough, disciplined squad that’s more than capable of spoiling the party if Kansas isn’t at full strength. Having Peterson back - even if he’s not quite 100% - could be a difference-maker in a game that’s likely to have Big 12 title implications down the line.
So while Kansas managed to pull out a gritty win in Manhattan without their freshman phenom, all eyes now turn to Saturday. If Peterson is back - and even close to his usual self - the Jayhawks just got a lot more dangerous.