Did Darryn Peterson set the tone for KU basketball’s postseason in K-State win?
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Darryn Peterson shined with 27 points, showing his best movement yet.
- Health and consistency of Peterson will shape KU’s postseason prospects.
- Self praised Peterson’s improved play; Peterson lauded Self’s trust.
At the time, it seemed like an inconsequential moment late in Kansas basketball’s blowout win over K-State.
KU freshman Darryn Peterson received a bounce pass from big man Paul Mbiya right outside the restricted area. He elevated and dunked with two hands.
The points didn’t really matter. The Jayhawks, who won 104-85, led 94-67 at the time with a little over four minutes left.
The dunk represented something more. It’s a glimmer of hope as KU enters postseason play.
“That’s the best he’s moved all year long,” Kansas coach Bill Self said. “Without a question. Hopefully that’s a positive moving forward. You saw how things were for him — just so easy.”
Peterson finished with 27 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals. And he played 29 minutes off the bench — with the seniors starting in the home finale.
It’s been a difficult season health-wise for the projected top-3 NBA Draft pick. Peterson has missed 11 games due to a variety of health issues, including with his quad and hamstring, as well as a turned ankle.
When he has played, he’s rarely been fully healthy. He’s checked himself out of games while cramping. And even while playing more of late, he entered this contest amid a major shooting slump. He had shot 40% or worse in each of his last three contests — and below 50% in seven of eight.
Saturday was different.
The version of Peterson that showed up resembled what KU fans have clamored for much of this season. Even Self noted in his postgame radio interview that Saturday was the version of Peterson that KU recruited.
“I’m feeling good,” Peterson said. “It’s perfect timing, if you ask me, going into the Big 12 Tournament and NCAA. I’m feeling probably the best I’ve felt all year.”
The Jayhawks will need the fluid, free-flowing version of Peterson who showed up Saturday if they are to make a deep run. The Jayhawks, projected in the four-seed range of late, have an offense that ranks around No. 50 nationally by KenPom and Bart Torvik. KU may need Peterson to carry the scoring load at times.
Just ask Self.
“Still yet, we haven’t seen the best,” Self said, “because today you saw how easy it was when his body is feeling good, and it’s feeling better each and every week. And guys, he’s good enough to put a team on his back for two or three weeks.”
No matter what lies ahead this postseason, Peterson has seemed to enjoy his brief college tenure.
He said he wasn’t emotional heading into his last game at Allen Fieldhouse, but Peterson displayed gratitude for his regular season with the Jayhawks.
“Everybody saying I don’t love Kansas … this is the last home game, last time I’m probably going to do this type of stuff — I love Kansas, I love everything about being here,” Peterson said. “And my team.”
He also expressed his thanks for Self’s trust.
“What goes through my mind is just his belief in me after tons of ups and downs this whole entire year,” said Peterson. “Couple times throughout the year, I feel like the world was stacked against me, and I feel like he always had my back the majority of them. So appreciate him for that.”
To Peterson’s point, no one will harp on the dramatics of his season if KU goes on a deep run. Of course, an early exit could also shape the way he’s viewed in Lawrence long term.
“What goes through my mind,” Peterson said, “let’s go get a championship.”
This story was originally published March 7, 2026 at 6:34 PM.
