Darryn Peterson claims he didn't hear the Texas Tech fans chanting something that is not suitable for print.
But there's a very good chance he did and maybe that is what woke him up from what had been a tough game up to that point. Peterson nailed two 3-pointers in the final possessions of the game to lift the Jayhawks to a 64-61 win over the Red Raiders. It was a sweet moment for the superstar freshman, who was being mocked by Tech fans all night.
Despite the rough shooting night (5-of-14 from the floor), Peterson proved the old adage that you don't have to be great all the time, just when you need to be."
Texas Tech fans chanted “he’s a p****y,” at Darryn Peterson at the end of the first half.
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) February 3, 2026
His response? Two clutch triples late in the game to give Kansas a massive road victory.
“That’s stuff you talk about for years to come.” https://t.co/YYnchNHYz8
Bill Self said that Peterson's struggles were evident all night, but his confidence was never affected and when it was time to win the game, the ball was in his hands.
"He hadn't made many [plays] tonight. He was just kind of out there, and he's got something that I guess you're born with and can't teach," Self said. "He's just got an unbelievable ability to raise his level when it counts the most and that's what he did tonight. Those two plays he made were obviously the two biggest plays of the game for us."
Peterson silences Texas Tech fans with late-game heroics
One of the most underrated aspects in the evaluation of most elite players is their ability in the clutch. It's often hard to judge in high school because they are always the best player on the court and usually can't be contained. But, as Self said, it's something that can't be taught. Either you have it or you don't.
Darryn Peterson has got it and Monday night he showed it once again, and there's a good chance it won't be the last time he does it this season.
"I had a bad game like you said, shots weren't really going in," Peterson said. "They were guarding me kind of well. I just trusted the work, so those shots I feel like I should make."