KU basketball coverage ahead of Champions Classic vs. Duke

KU basketball is preparing for a big game on a big stage, against the Duke Blue Devils at Madison Square Garden. Ahead of Tuesday's late-night tipoff, the Jayhawks met with the media to talk about their early season form, as well as the clash against one of the nation's top players in Cameron Boozer.

Also of note: An injury to KU basketball star Darryn Peterson that held him out of the last game and could continue to linger. Bill Self said the projected lottery pick could be out for the short-term. Is it possible he could return Tuesday?

KU will have to defend Cameron Boozer, a top NBA Draft prospect, when the Jayhawks and Duke Blue Devils meet Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in the Champions Classic. By Photo collage

NO. 1: AFTER FOILING FLAGG IN 2024, KU BASKETBALL FACES ANOTHER DUKE STAR IN CAMERON BOOZER

Kansas’ suffocating defense on eventual No. 1 NBA Draft pick Cooper Flagg proved pivotal last year. Is a repeat performance in store? | Published November 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Gary Bedore

Jayden Dawson #1 of the Kansas Jayhawks reacts during the second half of the game against the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders at Allen Fieldhouse on November 11, 2025 in Lawrence. By Jamie Squire

NO. 2: FACING DUKE WILL BE ‘SURREAL’ FOR KU BASKETBALL TRANSFER — WHO HOPES TO HEAT UP

As a young, budding basketball player growing up in Omaha, Nebraska — a city just 210 miles from Lawrence — Jayden Dawson followed the fortunes of the blue blood Kansas Jayhawks. | Published November 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Gary Bedore

NO. 3: WHY ONE KU JAYHAWKS PLAYER SAYS FLORY BIDUNGA CAN BE ‘BEST BIG IN OUR CONFERENCE’

Flory Bidunga, who had already dazzled offensively by scoring a career-high 25 points, skied high to forcibly block a shot by Princeton forward Cash McSweeney with 3 minutes, 44 seconds left in Kansas’ 76-57 victory over the Tigers on Saturday afternoon. | Published November 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Gary Bedore

Kansas Jayhawks guard Darryn Peterson (22) and guard Nginyu Ngala (0) on the bench in the second half at Allen Fieldhouse on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, in Lawrence. Peterson did not play because of a tight hamstring. By Tammy Ljungblad

NO. 4: KU BASKETBALL WILL BE WITHOUT DARRYN PETERSON FOR ‘IMMEDIATE FUTURE,’ BILL SELF SAYS

Kansas freshman Darryn Peterson has missed two games due to hamstring tightness and his status remains day-to-day, according to coach Bill Self on Saturday. | Published November 15, 2025 | Read Full Story by Shreyas Laddha

Flory Bidunga #40 of the Kansas Jayhawks drives against CJ Happy #4 of the Princeton Tigers in the first half at Allen Fieldhouse on November 15, 2025, in Lawrence. By Ed Zurga

NO. 5: FLORY BIDUNGA ANSWERS BILL SELF’S CHALLENGE IN KU’S WIN VS. PRINCETON: TAKEAWAYS

All season, Kansas coach Bill Self has pleaded for his big men to play true to their size. | Published November 15, 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.