Kansas head coach Bill Self said he plans to have freshman sensation Darryn Peterson available for Sunday’s rivalry matchup with Missouri in Kansas City.
Peterson, projected by ESPN as the top pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, has missed seven straight games because of a hamstring injury. The 6-foot-6 guard participated in two practices this week, and Self indicated that his status now hinges only on avoiding a late setback.
“He should be available, unless he has a setback between now and game time,” Self told ESPN. “We’re approaching it like he’s available.”
Before the injury, Peterson averaged 21.5 points and 6.5 rebounds in two appearances, shooting with high efficiency and quickly drawing the attention of NBA scouts. Without him, Kansas went 5-2, relying heavily on big men Flory Bidunga and Bryson Tiller while climbing into the nation’s top 10 in adjusted defensive efficiency. Offensively, however, Self acknowledged the Jayhawks “don’t really know how to play without him.”
The Border War adds further intrigue. Missouri ended Kansas’ three-game winning streak in the renewed series last season. Both programs enter Sunday looking to rebound from defeats: Kansas fell 61-56 to Connecticut, and Missouri lost at Notre Dame.
Source: Hoops Wire
