Allen Fieldhouse is no stranger to star-studded matchups, the latest billed for Saturday as Darryn Peterson and Kansas were set to face AJ Dybantsa and BYU.
This game, pitting two likely top-3 NBA Draft selections against each other, also drew a visit from ESPN’s “College GameDay,” which went live from James Naismith Court a few hours before tipoff.
Paul Pierce also returned to the building where he played in college before embarking on a memorable NBA career — including a 15-year run with the Boston Celtics.
Pierce, who played at KU under Roy Williams, was a 10-time NBA All-Star and the 2008 NBA Finals MVP while in Boston. He was a first-team All-American at KU in 1998, averaging 20.4 points per game.
Allen Fieldhouse hosts ESPN's College GameDay ahead of KU's highly anticipated matchup vs. BYU on Saturday, Jan. 31, in Lawrence. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Kansas coach Bill Self visits the set of ESPN’s College GameDay and shared a laugh with the crew including Andraya Carter, from left, Jay Williams and Jay Bilas at Allen Fieldhouse on Saturday, Jan. 31, in Lawrence. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Kansas fans hold up signs in Allen Fieldhouse as it hosts ESPN's College GameDay ahead of KU's game vs. BYU on Saturday, Jan. 31, in Lawrence. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Former Kansas Jayhawks star Paul Pierce was inside Allen Fieldhouse for ESPN's College GameDay ahead of KU's highly anticipated matchup vs. BYU on Saturday, Jan. 31, in Lawrence. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Streaks of sunlight streamed through the windows during ESPN College GameDay at Allen Fieldhouse on Saturday, Jan. 31, in Lawrence. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Former Kansas Jayhawks stay Paul Pierce is celebrated by fans in Allen Fieldhouse during ESPN's College GameDay ahead of KU vs. BYU on Saturday, Jan. 31, in Lawrence. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Will Singleton, a KU student, had a chance to win $19,000 during ESPN’s College GameDay at Allen Fieldhouse on Saturday, Jan. 31, in Lawrence. He did not win. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Former Kansas Jayhawks sta rPaul Pierce makes a three-point shot in Allen Fieldhouse during ESPN's College GameDay ahead of KU's highly anticipated matchup vs. BYU on Saturday, Jan. 31, in Lawrence. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Members of the Kansas Jayhawks basketball team walk through the stands during ESPN College GameDay at Allen Fieldhouse on Saturday, Jan. 31, in Lawrence. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Paul Pierce, former Kansas Jayhawk, had his photo taken with members of the Kansas women's basketball team during ESPN College GameDay at Allen Fieldhouse on Saturday, Jan. 31, in Lawrence. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Kansas fans hold up signs and chant in Allen Fieldhouse as it hosts ESPN's College GameDay ahead of KU's highly anticipated matchup vs. BYU on Saturday, Jan. 31, in Lawrence. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Members of the Kansas Jayhawks basketball team walk through the stands during ESPN College GameDay at Allen Fieldhouse on Saturday, Jan. 31, in Lawrence. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
This story was originally published January 31, 2026 at 1:01 PM.
Tammy Ljungblad, at The Kansas City Star, since 1989, is a photojournalist producing videos and storytelling photographs covering a wide range of topics including the Kansas City Chiefs, breaking news, in-depth stories and personality profiles. She is also a FAA licensed drone pilot.Support my work with a digital subscription
Sports Pass is your ticket to Kansas City sports
#ReadLocal
Get in-depth, sideline coverage of Kansas City area sports - only $1 a month
