The spotlight was squarely on two of college basketball’s brightest stars Saturday afternoon as BYU and Kansas squared off in a matchup that had NBA scouts and fans alike glued to their screens. AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson-two names that have been trading places atop 2026 NBA Draft projections-finally shared the floor in a game that felt like a sneak preview of future pro battles.
What made this clash even more intriguing? Both players were once in serious talks to wear Kansas State purple.
Dybantsa, the dynamic BYU forward, took a visit to Manhattan back in August 2024, when the Wildcats were among his final seven schools. Kansas State head coach Jerome Tang still remembers that recruitment process fondly-and watching Dybantsa now, it’s easy to see why.
“I’ve been watching AJ since he was in the seventh grade,” Tang said after the game. “I love him and his family, and I had a great time recruiting him. I’ve watched his games this season, and he’s been one of the most efficient players-and tonight he was again.”
Efficiency is the name of Dybantsa’s game, but on this night, he wasn’t the only one putting on a show. Tang also singled out his own guard, PJ Haggerty, for his performance, calling it another example of just how much talent was on the floor.
“That’s two really good players out there,” Tang added. “They probably match their stat lines, and it was just one of those things.”
Peterson, on the other hand, took a different path. He visited Kansas State a month after Dybantsa, but ultimately narrowed his final list to Kansas, Ohio State, USC, and the Wildcats-before committing to the Jayhawks in November 2024. And in this head-to-head showdown, he wasted no time showing why he’s been a top-ranked prospect since his high school days.
Peterson came out firing in the first half, racking up 18 points before sitting most of the second. It wasn’t just the scoring-it was the command, the poise, the way he imposed his will early and let his presence ripple through the game. Dybantsa finished with 17 points-one of his quieter nights this season-but even on a “down” night, his impact was felt.
Still, it was Bryson Tiller and Richie Saunders who stole the show down the stretch, stepping into the spotlight while the two projected lottery picks took a step back. That’s the beauty of college basketball-stars shine, but depth wins games.
As for Kansas State, they weren’t part of this particular battle, but they’re in the thick of their own fight-trying to claw their way out of the Big 12 basement. The Wildcats have a big one coming up at home, hosting No. 8 Iowa State in a game that could be a turning point for their season.
Here’s what you need to know heading into tipoff:
- Game Time: Thursday, February 1 at 2:00 p.m. EST
- Location: Bramlage Coliseum, Manhattan, KS
- TV: FOX Sports
Projected Starters:
- G PJ Haggerty - 23.0 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 4.4 APG
- G David Castillo - 11.8 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 2.0 APG
- G Nate Johnson - 11.4 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 4.1 APG
- G Taj Manning - 3.6 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 0.7 SPG
- C Dorin Buca - 3.4 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 1.5 BPG
This group has offensive firepower, led by Haggerty, who’s been one of the most consistent scorers in the conference. The backcourt trio of Haggerty, Castillo, and Johnson gives the Wildcats a puncher’s chance against anyone-but it’s the other side of the ball that’s been the concern.
Key Team Stats:
- Scoring Offense: 82.7 PPG (8th in Big 12)
- Scoring Defense: 79.5 PPG allowed (13th in Big 12)
- Team 3-Point Shooting: 37.1% (4th in Big 12)
- Opponent 3-Point Shooting: 32.0% (6th in Big 12)
- Rebounding: 36.0 RPG (11th in Big 12)
- Opponent Rebounding: 36.0 RPG (15th in Big 12)
The Wildcats can score with the best of them, and they’ve been solid from deep. But the defensive numbers-especially on the boards-tell the story of a team that’s still searching for consistency. Giving up as many rebounds as they grab has been a problem, and against a physical Iowa State squad, that could be the difference.
Still, this is a team with talent, especially in the backcourt. If they can tighten things up defensively and control the glass, they’ve got a shot to shake up the rankings and climb back into the Big 12 mix.
And who knows? Maybe someday down the line, we’ll be talking about a future NBA matchup between Haggerty and Dybantsa or Peterson. For now, though, Kansas State has a game to win-and a season to salvage.