UNC great discusses the Kansas red flag everyone saw after the NCAA Tournament win

Fans tend to overthink every little thing, especially in the midst of the drama of March Madness, but coming from someone who's been there before, Kansas fans were validated in worrying that something as little as interactions between players could eventually cost the Jayhawks in the NCAA Tournament.

Former North Carolina star John Henson was asked during a CBS Sports broadcast if there's actually anything to the way Darryn Peterson's teammates interacted with him and around him after Peterson dropped a game-high 28 points in the No. 4 seed Jayhawks' 68-60 win over No. 13 Cal Baptist on Friday in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

"I'm reading into it," Henson said. "I played, I know how things go."

John Henson says Jayhawks' body language around Darryn Peterson is reason to worry

The worry arose after Peterson was surrounded by teammates during his postgame interview, but none of them even forced a smile, let alone celebrated their teammate going off in his NCAA Tournament debut. Granted, the Jayhawks did have to fight off a Cal Baptist comeback when they were expected to take care of business pretty easily.

Henson also pointed out in-game situations where teammates looked off Peterson and didn't go his way despite Peterson clearly being the best player on the court as the potential No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Obviously instances on the court matter most, but interactions off the hardwood like that postgame interaction reflect what's happening inside the locker room and during games.

"I'm looking, as a former player, when the game's on the line, I'm almost forcing it to my guy, even if I have to turn it over to get him to put him in the best position," Henson said. "I thought that was very concerning, and after, you know, yes, they're upset about the comeback, but this is survive and advance. Every win is a big deal in this tournament.

"For Kansas' body language to be like that after a win and their best player's getting interviewed -- (Flory) Bidunga's kind of on the side and Tre White's not in the picture, and he turns around and no one gives him a high-five, someone hits him in the chest -- I'm reading into it. I don't like that, and next game, I think it may rear its ugly head against a better team."

The Jayhawks play No. 5 St. John's at 4:15 p.m. CT Sunday on CBS with a spot in the Sweet 16 on the line.