Darryn Peterson is back in the Kansas starting lineup. For a team riding an eight-game winning streak that includes knocking off the top two teams in college basketball, that’s a scary development for No. 5 Iowa State.
Peterson, a projected top pick in June’s NBA draft, is “good to go” for Saturday’s showdown at Hilton Coliseum, Kansas coach Bill Self told ESPN’s Pete Thamel on Friday.
The star freshman missed Monday’s stunning 82-78 upset of then-No. 1 Arizona with flu-like symptoms, having now missed 11 games this season due to various ailments. He’ll start when the No. 9 Jayhawks (19-5, 9-2 Big 12) tip off against the Cyclones (21-3, 8-3 Big 12) at 1 p.m. ET on ABC.
Bill Self Defends His Star, Calls Narratives ‘BS’
Self spent part of his Thursday press conference going to bat for Peterson, whose repeated absences have drawn criticism from national analysts and social media. The Hall of Fame coach didn’t mince words.
“I’m not a social media guy, but I have gotten on X and read some of the things and narratives that are out there about him, and it’s really not remotely true,” Self said. “Was his hamstring legit? Hell yes. Was his cramping legit? Yes. Did he turn his ankle bad? Yes. He’s had a string of bad luck. Those narratives are BS.”
Peterson has played in just 13 of Kansas’ 24 games this season. When healthy, the 6-foot-6 guard looks every bit the generational talent scouts believe him to be, averaging 20.5 points on 48.9% shooting and 41.9% from three-point range. He scored 16 in Kansas’ 84-63 demolition of then-No. 2 Iowa State on Jan. 13 in Lawrence, a victory that kicked off the Jayhawks’ current winning streak.
The Jayhawks proved Monday they can win without him. The supporting cast kept rolling against Arizona, with Flory Bidunga posting 23 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks. Melvin Council Jr. added 23 points, and Bryson Tiller chipped in 18. Bidunga, who was named Big 12 Player of the Week on Monday, Feb. 10, has been the anchor of this team’s resurgence. He leads the Big 12 in blocks and ranks second nationally with 2.8 per game while shooting 68.6% from the field.
Kansas has knocked off top-ranked Arizona and then-No. 2 Iowa State within the same season, a rare feat for any program. Getting Peterson back adds another dimension to an offense that’s already found its footing.
Iowa State Needs to Shake Off the TCU Collapse
The Cyclones, meanwhile, are licking their wounds after a brutal finish at TCU on Tuesday. Iowa State led 55-50 with 2:38 remaining before allowing a 12-0 run to close the game in a 62-55 loss. Joshua Jefferson and Tamin Lipsey each scored 12, with Jefferson posting eight rebounds and nine assists while Lipsey missed the front end of a crucial one-and-one in the final minute.
Iowa State committed 17 turnovers, shot 2-for-8 from the free-throw line, and made just five three-pointers. It was their lowest scoring output in over a calendar year.
“We’ve just gotta be better in all aspects,” Milan Momcilovic said after the loss. “Especially turning over the ball.”
T.J. Otzelberger’s team remains undefeated at Hilton Coliseum this season. The Cyclones are 13-0 at home, and the atmosphere will be electric for a top-10 showdown. Kansas holds a dominant all-time series advantage at 191-69, including an eight-game winning streak at Allen Fieldhouse. The Jayhawks also lead the series at Hilton Coliseum 28-25, though Iowa State has won the last three matchups on its home court.
The first meeting wasn’t close. Kansas led by 26 in the first half and forced 12 turnovers while shooting 50% from three. Jefferson, Lipsey, and Momcilovic went a combined 11-for-38 from the field.
Iowa State needs Jefferson to be the do-everything big man who has scored in double figures in 30 consecutive games. They need Lipsey to control tempo and protect the ball. And they need their vaunted defense, which ranks among the best in the country in adjusted efficiency according to KenPom, to force Kansas into contested shots.
Kansas is the underdog on the road. The Jayhawks have been underdogs at home just twice under Self before this season, and they won both times. They’ve been even better on the road in February, covering in seven of their last eight games.
For Peterson, this is an opportunity to silence critics and prove his availability concerns won’t define his final month in college basketball. For Kansas, it’s a chance to take control of the Big 12 race with seven games left. For Iowa State, it’s about bouncing back from their worst performance of conference play and protecting home court.
Hilton Magic or Jayhawk dominance. Something has to give.