Will Darryn Peterson Play This Week vs. BYU?

Kansas might get its best player back for a huge Saturday night game against BYU, and that matters more than most people are talking about. Bill Self said Darryn Peterson, who missed the last game with an ankle issue, is expected to be available against the Cougars. Peterson didn’t practice last week and was out of the lineup, but if he’s good to go, Kansas suddenly looks a lot tougher in one of the most anticipated games on the college basketball calendar.

Let’s not gloss over what Peterson means to this team. He’s averaging 21.6 points per game and looks truly like one of the best players in America. He’s the guy Kansas builds around on offense, the perimeter weapon you run actions for, the scorer who can bail you out of tough possessions. His injury woes have been big for the Jayhawks, though they didn’t need him in their last outing against in-state rival Kansas State.

Both of these teams are ranked at the moment, with BYU at No. 13 and Kansas at No. 14, and that’s only part of the intrigue. This matchup features two players who are projected as the top overall picks in the 2026 NBA draft. Peterson is one of them for Kansas, and AJ Dybantsa is the headliner for BYU. That adds a pro lens to a college game, and eyeballs are going to be on both of them from the opening tip.

If Peterson is available, that’s a huge development for Kansas. Still, he will likely be on a minutes restriction or kept from playing a full game. Even for 20 minutes, Peterson is a star, and every possession matters when the ball is in his hands.

Will Dybantsa vs. Peterson affect their draft stocks this season? Maybe, but it’s safer to bet that the No. 1 overall draft pick will be decided on lottery night, not on the draft itself. If a guard-needy team emerges, it’s Peterson; if a forward spot is open, it’ll be Dybantsa. For now, Big 12 fans can kick back and watch an incredible game between league heavyweights.