Kansas Struggles Without Star Player in Second Half

Darryn Peterson's cramps force him out, leading to Jayhawks' offensive woes

Feb. 1, 2026 at 10:31am

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Kansas played a dominant first half against BYU, led by star player Darryn Peterson's 18 points. However, Peterson was forced to miss the final 16 minutes of the game due to cramps, and the Jayhawks struggled offensively, nearly blowing a 21-point lead before holding on for a 90-82 win. The two halves highlighted Kansas' inconsistency this season, as they've shown the ability to play at a high level when healthy, but have often been hampered by injuries to key players.

Why it matters

This game showcases the challenges Kansas has faced this season in maintaining consistency and reaching its full potential. The Jayhawks have shown flashes of being one of the best teams in the country, but their reliance on players like Darryn Peterson makes them vulnerable when those players are unavailable.

The details

Kansas raced out to a 21-point lead in the first half, with Peterson scoring 18 points and making six of seven shots. However, Peterson was forced to miss the final 16 minutes due to cramps, and the Jayhawks struggled offensively, going through a six-minute stretch without a field goal. Head coach Bill Self said the team was "just trying to get to the finish line" as the other four starters played nearly the entire second half.

  • Darryn Peterson left the game with cramps in the second half.
  • Elmarko Jackson also had to leave the game after bumping knees.

The players

Darryn Peterson

A star player for Kansas who had a dominant first half, scoring 18 points, but was forced to miss the final 16 minutes due to cramps.

Bill Self

The head coach of the Kansas Jayhawks, who acknowledged the team's inconsistency and need for all of its players to be healthy in order to reach its full potential.

Melvin Council Jr.

A Kansas player who noted that the team struggles to score when Peterson is not on the court, as he makes the game easier for his teammates.

Elmarko Jackson

A Kansas player who had to leave the game after bumping knees, further depleting the Jayhawks' lineup in the second half.

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What they’re saying

“He's not gonna go six of seven or whatever he was in the first half everyday, but the way that people will have to guard him, which allows us to play four on three behind it and so many different things. [It] gives you a chanse to be better offensively than what we've shown consistently, just because of the presence, so to speak.”

— Bill Self, Head Coach (on3.com)

“Darryn's a great player, you know, when he's out there he makes the game so easy for all of us. He helps us score. When he gets out, we just stay around, we can't really score like that.”

— Melvin Council Jr., Player (on3.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This game highlights the challenges Kansas has faced in maintaining consistency this season, as the team's reliance on key players like Darryn Peterson makes them vulnerable when those players are unavailable. The Jayhawks have shown the potential to be one of the best teams in the country, but need to find a way to overcome injuries and maintain their high level of play throughout the season.