LAWRENCE — Kansas basketball standout Darryn Peterson’s cramping issue continued to be a topic of conversation on Wednesday, and for good reason.
Peterson was limited in the second half of the win in the regular season opener against Green Bay earlier this week because of it. The No. 19 Jayhawks’ freshman guard missed the exhibition against Fort Hays State before that, and also had been limited in the previous exhibition against No. 10 Louisville. For KU (1-0) to reach its full potential, it needs him on the court and playing extended minutes.
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While Kansas coach Bill Self emphasized that this wasn’t a problem for Peterson before he got to college, it’s not as if that means they’ll overlook it to any degree now. It’s on the Jayhawks’ minds, as they prepare to go on the road Friday and face No. 25 North Carolina (1-0). According to Self, Peterson practiced on Tuesday and Wednesday without any issues arising.
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“It’s concerning, because we’re not going to be nearly as effective with him playing 16 minutes a game,” Self said. “But it’s something that we don’t anticipate being anything that lasts. But we’re talking it serious, and feel like that we’re in better shape than we were, obviously, a week ago.”
When Self thinks about extended minutes, he thinks about Peterson playing between 32 and 35 minutes per game. Against Green Bay, in a 94-51 victory, Peterson played close to 22 minutes. In that time, he scored 21 points and collected four rebounds, three assists, and two steals while turning the ball over just one time.
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KU sophomore forward Flory Bidunga also stood out against Green Bay, scoring 23 points and grabbing six rebounds. Senior guard Melvin Council Jr. joined them in double figures scoring with 10 points, and finished with five rebounds and four assists, too. But as Self mentioned, those two and their teammates will be better off the more Peterson can remain available.
Nov. 3, 2025; Lawrence, Kansas; Kansas basketball guard Darryn Peterson (22) dribbles during the second half of a game against Green Bay at Allen Fieldhouse.
Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He was the 2022 National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas basketball coach Bill Self updates Darryn Peterson’s status
