The Kansas Jayhawks are back at Allen Fieldhouse on Saturday, ready for another homestand starting with a Utah team still trying to find its footing. Against Kansas, every mistake is magnified, and the Utes can’t afford any.
Darryn Peterson finally in rhythm, playing consistent minutes
Darryn Peterson hit two huge triples during an 8-0 run in the final minute, leading Kansas to its toughest road win of the season over Texas Tech. It was the first game all year that Peterson saw 35+ minutes of action, a trend that head coach Bill Self will hope continues.
The numbers tell a different story. He wasn’t a major threat all game, knocking down just 5-of-14 shots from the floor. Prior to his two triples, Peterson was under 30%, going just 3-of-12.
Darryn Peterson's back-to-back triples down the stretch helped lift Kansas past Texas Tech in a hostile environment 🔥🎯 https://t.co/q6hj3sUgZS pic.twitter.com/1JCzCNWy3N
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) February 3, 2026
His presence on the floor, even on his off nights matters. Without him against BYU, the Cougars took advantage of a 20-6 scoring run late after Peterson sat out the final 17 minutes.
His presence on the floor, even on his off nights, matters. Against Utah, Kansas will need the same, if not a higher level of production.
Will Bryson Tiller be the difference maker?
Even though it sometimes feels that way, Peterson isn’t the only true freshman in Kansas’ starting lineup. The national spotlight might be on him, but don’t forget that Bryson Tiller is making an impact.
The 6-foot-11 freshman didn’t log more than three points against Texas Tech, but he still filled the stat sheet with 10 rebounds, four assists, two blocks and two steals. In the two games prior, Tiller scored 21 points against BYU and 16 on the road at Kansas State, grabbing at least five rebounds in both contests.
Tiller knocked down 3-of-5 shots from beyond the arc against BYU, all in the first half, contributing to the first nine of 11 makes during the best three-point shooting run the team has led all season.
Prior to Saturday, he had yet to log more than 30 minutes in a contest since Nov. 26 against Tennessee. Depending on Peterson’s health, it’s possible that another big game is on the horizon.
Scouting the Utes: a team struggling amidst the chaos of conference play
Utah enters this one on a four-game losing streak, the longest active streak in the conference next to both Kansas State and BYU. The Utes currently sit in last place tied with the Wildcats at 1-8 in the conference standings.
Utah has dropped two of its last three games by double digits: 91-78 at BYU and 81-69 to Oklahoma State. A loss next would create a five-game skid, their longest stretch of conference losses this season.
Terrence Brown stands alone as the only starter averaging over 20 points, logging 3.9 assists and two rebounds a game, also shooting 47% from the floor. Brown is one of three starters to average in double figures alongside Don McHenry and Keanu Dawes.
Dawes leads the team in rebounds averaging 8.9 per contest, having recorded 11 in the previous home loss to Arizona State.
Earlier this season against TCU, Brown scored 26 points in a win that snapped a four-game losing streak. It was one of three games in which he knocked down four or more triples shooting 50% or better from distance.
But the numbers don’t lie. Kansas is favored, which means the ‘script’ is most likely already written. Expect this one to get out of hand quickly.
Score Prediction: Kansas 78, Utah 63
Make sure to bookmark Through the Phog and follow us on X and Facebook with the username @Throughthephog