Darryn Peterson Delivers in the Clutch as Kansas Outlasts Texas Tech on the Road
For most of the second half on Monday night, Darryn Peterson was quiet. But when Kansas needed him most, the freshman phenom made sure his voice was heard loud and clear.
With the Jayhawks locked in a defensive slugfest against No. 13 Texas Tech, Peterson stepped up and hit back-to-back threes in the final minutes-one to tie it at 61, the next to give No.
11 Kansas the lead for good. In a game where every possession felt like a battle, those two shots were the knockout punch.
Let’s be clear: this wasn’t a flawless outing for Peterson. He finished 5-of-14 from the field and had just two points in the second half before that late-game heroics.
But those final moments? That’s what separates good players from great ones.
With 6-foot-9 JT Toppin in his face, Peterson calmly rose up and drilled the game-tying three. Then, on the very next possession, he created space off the dribble and let it fly again-pure.
Peterson ended the night with 19 points, tied for the game-high, along with two rebounds and two assists. More importantly, he delivered a signature moment in a tough Big 12 road win-something that matters come March.
This performance also came just two days after he played only three minutes in Kansas’ 90-82 win over No. 16 BYU.
So, to bounce back with this kind of poise and production? That says a lot about the freshman’s mental makeup.
Despite missing 10 of Kansas’ 22 games due to injury, Peterson has made every minute count. He’s averaging 21.1 points per game on efficient shooting splits-49.4% from the field, 43.2% from three, and over 80% from the line. When he’s on the floor, he’s a walking bucket and a matchup nightmare.
There’s a reason he’s projected as the potential No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. And while the league will have to wait, Kansas fans are getting a front-row seat to what he can do. If he stays healthy, Peterson not only has the talent to go first overall-he has the game to lead this Jayhawks team on a deep tournament run.
And that’s not just about scoring. Kansas is anchored by a defense that ranks eighth nationally in KenPom’s defensive efficiency.
During their current six-game winning streak, they’re holding opponents to just 66.5 points per game. That defensive backbone, paired with Peterson’s offensive firepower, gives this team a real shot at making noise in March.
On Monday night in Lubbock, that formula was on full display. The defense kept them in it. Peterson closed the door.
And if that’s the version of Kansas we’re going to see down the stretch, the rest of the Big 12-and maybe the country-better take notice.