UPDATE: Kansas superstar Darryn Peterson will miss another crucial game as the No. 25 Kansas Jayhawks face off against Princeton this weekend due to a persistent hamstring injury. Coach Bill Self confirmed on Friday that Peterson’s condition is not expected to be long-term, but the urgency of his absence is palpable as the Jayhawks prepare for a challenging schedule ahead.
Peterson, the nation’s top-ranked recruit and a leading candidate for the No. 1 pick in the upcoming NBA draft, missed Tuesday’s impressive 77-46 victory over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi after injuring himself in a shootaround. “For whatever reason, it’s still sore,” Self explained. “As long as it’s still this sore and limits him at all, there’s no reason to put him out there yet.”
The immediate concern is Peterson’s availability for critical matchups next week, including a highly-anticipated game against No. 4 Duke on Tuesday in the Champions Classic. Following that, Kansas will head to Las Vegas for the Players Era festival, where they are set to face Notre Dame and Syracuse. Additionally, third-ranked UConn will visit Allen Fieldhouse on December 2, along with games against Missouri and N.C. State before the start of Big 12 play.
Peterson made a stellar debut, scoring 21 points in 22 minutes against Green Bay and 22 points against North Carolina. However, earlier this season, he faced cramping issues that limited his playing time in an exhibition against Louisville and sidelined him completely in another against Fort Hays State.
When asked about his concerns regarding Peterson’s ongoing absence, Self expressed cautious optimism: “Right now, a couple of days, I’m not.” The coach mentioned that Peterson practiced ahead of Tuesday’s game but noted, “He said it just feels tight, and it still felt tight yesterday.”
Fans and analysts alike are watching closely, as the Jayhawks aim to maintain their momentum and championship aspirations while navigating this injury. The situation remains fluid, and updates are expected as Kansas prepares for its upcoming games. Stay tuned for more developments on Peterson’s recovery and the impact on Kansas’ season.
