The start of the Kansas basketball season has been a big disappointment with two losses in their first five games, but there is a silver lining if you look hard enough.
The Jayhawks’ early season has been derailed to some extent by the lingering hamstring injury for Darry Peterson. The timeline for Peterson’s problems has been frustrating in itself. Did the cramps lead to the hamstring strain? Did trying to play through the cramps cause a more serious problem? Is the issue indeed a strain, or is it a hamstring pull, or is it a tear? The lack of clear information from the beginning has made the situation worse.
An early, rugged schedule is generally fun for fans and players alike, but North Carolina and Duke seriously outgunned KU. Peterson played against UNC, but wasn’t fully healthy, and he didn’t play at all in Tuesday’s Champion Classic loss to Duke.
Kansas basketball may have found an identity outside of Darryn Peterson in his absence
In the games Peterson played, the other players tended to stand around and watch him do all the work. Many of them looked unsure of how to play with him and of their roles in supporting him. It put a lot on Peterson’s shoulders offensively.
Over the last three games with Peterson, the rest of the team is slowly developing an identity of their own. Players are stepping forward as scoring options. Those things will make KU a much better team upon Peterson’s return.
Against Duke, the Jayhawks displayed a toughness that wasn’t there against North Carolina. KU was clearly outmanned, yet they fought and scraped, staying in the game until the very end.
If the KU big men could have avoided foul trouble at the end of the first half, then again to a lesser extent at the end of the game, Kansas would have had a legitimate chance to pull off the upset.
Flory Bidunga, Bryson Tiller, and Tre White are all improving as scoring options. They will be a big help to Peterson when he does return. Those three players, however, have to figure out how to play aggressive defense without fouling. They need to be available at the end of games for KU to reach its potential.
Other players have also shown flashes of their potential. Kohl Rosario is athletic and tenacious, but he is young and has a lot of room for improvement. His upside is exciting. Jayden Dawson has hit some big three-pointers and might be their best option behind the arc after Peterson.
There is a lot to like about Melvin Council Jr. (though shooting outside eight feet isn’t one of those things). He hustles and brings toughness to the team. He’s quick, and when he gets an opening, he can take the ball to the basket with strength. If his shooting ever comes around, he’ll be a dangerous player.
While it has been frustrating to have Peterson sitting on the bench with the coaches the last three games, the team might be better in the long run because of it. The Jayhawks might be hard to beat when they get into Big 12 play.
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