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Bill Self's review of Darryn Peterson's performance in loss against Arizona Wildcats

The Kansas Jayhawks would like to rid the memory of their most recent 84-61 loss to Arizona as quickly as possible
ByConnor Mardian|
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Feb 28, 2026; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Darryn Peterson (22) dribbles the ball during the first half of the game against the Arizona Wildcats at McKale Memorial Center. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images
Feb 28, 2026; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Darryn Peterson (22) dribbles the ball during the first half of the game against the Arizona Wildcats at McKale Memorial Center. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images | Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images

In No. 14 Kansas’ 84-61 loss to the No. 2 Arizona Wildcats Saturday afternoon, you would be hard-pressed to find a player donning a blue jersey who really played a stellar game. 

After an off first half, transfer guard Tre White notched a strong 12 points on 4-6 from the field after an 0-4 first period that saw White total just one point. Former St. Bonaventure and Wagner guard Melvin Council Jr. put up a strong 13 points on a 6-10 mark from the field, yet his points never felt as loud as they usually do. 

The box score eyes were always going to be on former five-star guard Darryn Peterson, who missed the first fixture between the two after being ruled out thanks to “flu-like symptoms” in Kansas' 82-78 win over Arizona earlier this month. 

Peterson’s first half sang the same song as most others. A combination of good looks that clanged off the rim was littered through the first 20 minutes, which allowed the Wildcats to enter the half up 39-28, with Peterson finishing with a 3-11 mark from the field and 12 points to show. 

“You can say slow start, and I'm not gonna disagree with you, but was it a slow start because he missed shots, or did he play poorly? Quoted head coach Bill Self following the loss. 

A much-improved final half

The Jayhawks opened the second half with a strong 19-9 run that dropped the Arizona lead to just two points at 49-47 with 12:07 to play. Through that stretch, Peterson put up 10 points. 

However, the rest of the team could not keep up with his pace and eventually allowed Tommy Lloyd’s side to pull away, clinching at least a share of the Big 12 regular-season title for the Wildcats.

“I don't think he played poorly; I just think he missed shots. He got us back to the point where we were close. And it kind of went brain-dead after that. But I thought he was fine,” said Self postgame.

In the second half, Peterson put up 12 points thanks to a 5-10 rate from the field, which included two threes, as Peterson and White scored 24 of Kansas’ 33 second-half points. 

One of the biggest talking points around the college basketball sphere this season has been the health of Peterson. Cramps, illness, hamstring tightness, and a sprained ankle have all made the freshman’s shining light slightly dimmer. Yet for the first time this season, the Prolific Prep alum has compiled three-straight games of 30+ minutes.

“I'm not admitting to anything other than the fact that when the game was out of reach, it was time to start thinking about resting guys for Tuesday,” finished Self after a long day in Tucson, Arizona. 

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