Tag: Bill Self

Darryn Peterson Availability Update: Bill Self Reveals Status vs. Iowa State on Saturday

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2/13/26

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The Kansas Jayhawks received encouraging news ahead of Saturday’s matchup vs. the Iowa State Cyclones.

Head coach Bill Self confirmed that star freshman Darryn Peterson is “good to go” for the noon CT showdown, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel. Peterson missed Kansas’ 82-78 victory over No. 1 Arizona on Monday due to illness. (source)

Peterson has appeared in 13 of Kansas’ 24 games this season, averaging a team-high 20.5 points, along with 4.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists per contest. He is shooting 48.9% from the field and 41.9% from three-point range.

Self Responds to Criticism

Peterson’s absence against Arizona sparked criticism from some fans, especially following his early exit in a Jan. 31 win over BYU due to cramps. He did not return to that contest, prompting questions about his availability.

Self directly addressed the narrative surrounding his freshman guard.

“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. “The thing about it is, when you’re honest, people don’t believe you, and when you don’t comment on it, people create their own narratives.

“… The narrative is BS in many ways. I’m not sure. Load management, this kid hadn’t talked about that one time or anything. Load management, geez, that’s when you play four games in seven days. That’s not when you play one half a week or anything like that. So those aren’t true. … He’s really sick.”

Kansas Built Momentum Without Him

Even without Peterson on Monday, Kansas delivered one of its most complete performances of the season. The Jayhawks secured Arizona’s first loss by controlling the game at the free-throw line, converting 21 of 25 attempts.

Forward Flory Bidunga led the way with 23 points and 10 rebounds.

Still, Peterson’s offensive presence adds another dimension against an Iowa State defense that allows just 64.9 points per game — the 15th-best mark nationally.

With Self confirming his availability, Kansas enters the rematch at full strength and looking to extend its recent surge. The contest tips at noon CT and will air on ABC.

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Iowa State HC TJ Otzelberger on Kansas Before Saturday Rematch

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2/14/26

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The rematch between the Kansas Jayhawks and Iowa State Cyclones arrives witt different stakes than their first meeting in January.

At that time, Iowa State entered undefeated at 16-0, while the Jayhawks were unranked and searching for consistency. Since then, KU has surged to No. 9, stacking wins over multiple top-15 opponents, including a statement victory vs. No. 1 Arizona on Monday.

Thursday, Iowa State head coach TJ Otzelberger addressed the transformation he has seen from Bill Self’s squad with the media. (SOURCE)

“Their confidence certainly has grown immensely,” Otzelberger said. “I mean, at that point in time, they were still kind of trying to lock in on their identity, and you can tell they were practicing with great spirit because you could see it in the game. And they’ve been able to carry that forward to not lose a game in that stretch. So, their confidence is really high, they’ve obviously shown even when Peterson isn’t out there how well they can play and how great a team that they are.”

Otzelberger has consistently shown respect for Bill Self and the Kansas program. His comments reflect a coach who understands the magnitude of the challenge, especially against a team riding one of the strongest midseason stretches of Self’s tenure.

Kansas’ seven-game win streak has featured balanced scoring and sharper defense. Melvin Council Jr. sparked the second-half rally with 23 points and six assists against Arizona.

The biggest storyline entering the matchup centers on the status of Darryn Peterson. Otzelberger acknowledged that Kansas has proven capable regardless of his availability.

Since taking over in Ames in 2021, Otzelberger holds a 3-6 record against Kansas. All three victories have come inside Hilton Coliseum over the past three seasons, a streak the Jayhawks aim to snap.

With Kansas carrying momentum and Iowa State defending home court, the rematch presents a defining test for both programs.

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Darryn Peterson Comes Through Late as Kansas Outlasts Texas Tech

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The Kansas Jayhawks needed poise, confidence, and a shot-maker in the final minutes Monday night vs.. Freshman guard Darryn Peterson delivered all three. Peterson buried two contested three-pointers in the final 80 seconds to lift No. 11 Kansas to a 64–61 road win over No. 13 Texas Tech Red Raiders, sealing the Jayhawks’ sixth straight victory and reinforcing why he is viewed as one of the most dangerous closers in college basketball.

Freshman Star Finishes What He Started

For Peterson, the moment carried added significance. After multiple games cut short by injury or cramps earlier this season, Monday marked the first time he fully finished a tight contest.

Playing a season-high 35 minutes, Peterson scored 19 points despite struggling for much of the night. Before the final surge, he shot just 3-of-12 from the field against Texas Tech’s physical defense.

None of that mattered late.

With 1:20 remaining, Peterson drilled a contested corner three to tie the game. Forty-six seconds later, he rose from the left wing and buried another triple — the decisive shot in a tense Big 12 battle.

Resilience Through Adversity

Peterson’s season has been anything but smooth. The 6-foot-5 guard missed time earlier with ankle, hamstring, and calf issues and has sat out 10 games overall. Just two games earlier, he was sidelined late due to cramping after an explosive first half against BYU.

Yet when Kansas needed composure most, Peterson responded.

Now averaging 21.1 points per game, the projected top NBA Draft pick showcased not just scoring ability, but maturity beyond his age.

Bill Self Praises Peterson’s Clutch Gene

Kansas head coach Bill Self had little hesitation praising his freshman’s late-game instincts.

Peterson’s tying shot came over JT Toppin, and after a defensive stop, he followed with the game-winner. On the other end, Kansas freshman Flory Bidunga erased Texas Tech’s answer with a critical block.

Those moments swung the outcome — and highlighted Peterson’s unique presence under pressure.

Confidence Built on Preparation

Peterson credited preparation and trust, not luck, for the closing heroics.

Despite acknowledging an off shooting night, he leaned on his routine, teammates, and coaching staff. When asked to make a play, he did exactly that.

Kansas improved to 17–5 overall and 7–2 in Big 12 play, while Texas Tech fell to 16–6 and 6–3.

Final Takeaway

Darryn Peterson did not dominate wire to wire — and that may be the most telling part. In a game defined by adversity, fatigue, and missed shots, Kansas’ freshman star showed why closers are defined by moments, not percentages.

When the game demanded belief, Peterson supplied it — and Kansas walked out of Lubbock with another statement win.

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