Stories we're watching heading into KU basketball's 2025-26 season opener
Explore seven intriguing developments as Kansas prepares to start the new basketball season. A common theme is the anticipation surrounding key individuals and matchups as the Jayhawks take the floor for the first time in regular-season action.
Darryn Peterson has been slowed by preseason cramps and an illness, but he figures to have plenty of eyes on him if he does play. His influence extends beyond the court, affecting future Jayhawk seasons through his proactive recruitment efforts.
Another article discusses Green Bay's unique player, Ramel Bethea, who brings life experiences from his military service to challenge the Jayhawks. At 29, Bethea stands out as college hoops' oldest player.
NO. 1: IS KANSAS JAYHAWKS STAR DARRYN PETERSON HEALTHY? KU COACH BILL SELF GIVES UPDATE
Kansas Jayhawks freshman Darryn Peterson, who was held out of Tuesday’s men’s basketball exhibition game against Fort Hays State after playing just 11 minutes the second half versus Louisville a week ago, practiced on Friday and should be able to play in Monday’s season opener against Green Bay, KU coach Bill Self said Friday.The problem, which did not surface in Friday morning’s workout, has been cramping and tightness in Peterson’s leg.“He’s fine. | Published October 31, 2025 | Read Full Story by Gary Bedore
NO. 2: KANSAS JAYHAWKS WILL FACE COLLEGE HOOPS’ OLDEST PLAYER IN MONDAY NIGHT’S OPENER
At age 29, Ramel Bethea of the Green Bay Phoenix enters Monday’s 2025-26 season opener against Kansas as the oldest player in college basketball. | Published November 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by Gary Bedore
NO. 3: GREEN BAY HOOPS COACH/RADIO PERSONALITY GOTTLIEB EYES RETURN TO ALLEN FIELDHOUSE
Back in 2016, 40-year-old college basketball analyst/talk-show personality Doug Gottlieb served as a guest coach at Bill Self’s fantasy ProCamp with fellow celebrities Jay Williams, Miles Simon and Fran Fraschilla. At the time, nobody knew the two-time single-season NCAA assists leader out of Oklahoma State would follow in his dad Bob’s footsteps and one day actually become a college head coach. | Published November 1, 2025 | Read Full Story by Gary Bedore
NO. 4: HOW KOHL ROSARIO EARNED THE NICKNAME ‘STEVE ROGERS’ FROM HIS JAYHAWK TEAMMATES
Kansas Jayhawks freshman shooting guard Kohl Rosario arrived in Lawrence in June, but his teammates have already given him an iconic nickname: | Published October 28, 2025 | Read Full Story by Shreyas Laddha
NO. 5: BIDUNGA SIZES UP 2025-26 KU HOOPS + WHAT HAPPENED TO FOOTBALL? KANSAS JAYHAWKS Q&A
Kansas big man Flory Bidunga entered the transfer portal this summer but ultimately decided to return for another season of basketball with the Jayhawks. | Published October 31, 2025 | Read Full Story by Shreyas Laddha
NO. 6: WHY BILL SELF SINGLED OUT ONE KU PLAYER AFTER EXHIBITION WIN VS. FORT HAYS STATE
The final score — Kansas 71, Fort Hays State 35 — was so lopsided it might have made it seem as if the Jayhawks men’s basketball team did not miss freshman sensation Darryn Peterson in Tuesday night’s exhibition contest at Allen Fieldhouse. | Published October 29, 2025 | Read Full Story by Gary Bedore
NO. 7: KU BASKETBALL HAS NEW SECRET WEAPON IN RECRUITING. IT’S NOT WHAT YOU MIGHT EXPECT
Freshman phenom Darryn Peterson looks to be as good as advertised on the basketball court. | Published October 30, 2025 | Read Full Story by Shreyas Laddha
The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.