Kansas star Darryn Peterson missed the No. 14 Jayhawks’ 86-62 win over the Kansas Wildcats last weekend with an ankle sprain. Peterson has endured an injury-hit season, playing in only 10 of the Jayhawks’ 20 games so far.
Kansas will play in perhaps its biggest game of the season so far when the No. 13 BYU Cougars visit Allen Fieldhouse on Saturday in a marquee Big 12 matchup.
Is Darryn Peterson Playing Today Against AJ Dybantsa’s BYU?
During his weekly news conference ahead of the clash against BYU, Kansas coach Bill Self gave an optimistic update on the talented Peterson’s availability for Saturday’s game.
“I anticipate him being ready to go,” Self said.
In addition, the Jayhawks’ Big 12 injury report released on Friday evening did not contain Peterson’s name.
Peterson vs. Dybantsa To Determine No. 1 Pick
Dybantsa was the highest-ranked recruit in the class of 2025, just ahead of Peterson and the BYU star has justified the hype, dropping 43 points last weekend to nudge ahead in the debate of the best prospect in college basketball.
The Jayhawks versus Cougars clash on Saturday has devolved into a debate about which prospect will be the No. 1 NBA Draft pick in a few months. During an appearance on Friday’s “K. G Certified” podcast, NBA legend Paul Pierce predicted that whoever performed better in Saturday’s game would end up being the No. 1 pick.
“They look at these games, bro. This is the matchup. They like whoever come out killing in this game, probably gon’ have the edge,” Pierce said. “This is not only about the game, this is about the future of what’s coming to the next level. I think whoever wins this game will probably be the number one pick.
“I haven’t seen this type of anticipation for a matchup for the top picks in college basketball in a lot of years. This is the biggest game of the year, scouts-wise.”
Dybantsa and Peterson have played against each other twice in the AAU circuit last year, with the Jayhawks star coming out on top both times. In their first game against each other, Peterson tallied 32 points and 10 rebounds in a 76-70 win.
The second game was the stuff of legend, with Dybantsa managing 49 points and nine rebounds. However, he was overshadowed by Peterson’s 58 points, five assists and seven rebounds in a narrow 88-86 win.
Peterson is currently averaging 21.6 points on 49.3% shooting from the floor and 42% shooting from beyond the arc, 4.6 rebounds and 1.9 assists for the 15-5 Jayhawks this season. On the other hand, Dybantsa is averaging 23.6 points on 53% shooting from the field and 31.8% from deep, 6.7 rebounds and 3.6 assists for the 17-3 Cougars.
