LAWRENCE, Kan. — As tipoff approached on a highly anticipated Monday night at Allen Fieldhouse, excitement filled the air for what promised to be a remarkable college basketball matchup. A national television audience tuned in, alongside 32 NBA scouts from 22 teams, all eager to witness the ninth-ranked Kansas Jayhawks host the undefeated No. 1 Arizona Wildcats. Kansas aimed to achieve a historic feat: securing a victory against a top-ranked opponent at home for the first time in over 1,000 games.
However, just moments before the game, star freshman Darryn Peterson was declared a late scratch due to flu-like symptoms, marking the 11th game he missed this season. This news cast a shadow over the event, leading many to believe the game would lack excitement without the dynamic presence of Peterson.
Arizona quickly capitalized on Kansas” misfortune, racing to a 6-0 lead, which prompted an early timeout from frustrated head coach Bill Self just 95 seconds into the contest. Despite the Jayhawks” struggles and a limited rotation, they managed to stay competitive until the Wildcats stretched their lead to 55-44 early in the second half.
What unfolded next, however, was a captivating narrative that overshadowed the absence of Peterson. Kansas mounted a stunning comeback, ultimately defeating Arizona 82-78, marking their eighth consecutive victory and fourth against a ranked opponent. “It was probably as good a game as college basketball has had so far this season,” Self remarked.
The resilience displayed by Kansas, operating with only a six-man rotation, was a testament to their determination. The emotional weight of the victory was evident as Self celebrated passionately with fans and even shared hugs with players, a departure from his usual reserved demeanor. “I mean, that was strange,” forward Flory Bidunga commented, amused by the coach”s uncharacteristic display of affection.
This triumph also served to challenge the prevailing belief that the Jayhawks” success hinged solely on Peterson”s contributions. While it is undeniable that the team performs better with him, the victory against Arizona illustrated their ability to adapt and thrive in his absence. Arizona”s coach, Tommy Lloyd, acknowledged this, stating, “Guys, Kansas is a hell of a team. Let”s not make this about Darryn Peterson. They beat the No. 1 team in the country at home tonight. They did a hell of a job.”
Reflecting on their previous performance, Kansas had lost a close game to then-No. 5 Connecticut, further fueling doubts about their capability without Peterson. Yet, this recent victory highlighted their growth and resilience. Kansas did not learn Peterson would be unavailable until shortly before the game, but they responded with determination rather than defeatism.
Self emphasized that the team had “actually been more aggressive individually” when Peterson was sidelined, showcasing an admirable tenacity that characterized their play. In this game, Kansas held Arizona to 11 points below their scoring average, with both Melvin Council and Bidunga leading the team with 23 points each. Council”s aggressive approach, despite hitting only six of 25 field goal attempts, resonated with Self”s vision for the team in Peterson”s absence.
“The key to winning games isn”t always playing better than your opponent,” Self noted. “It”s making sure your opponent doesn”t play as good as you. And we were able to do that.” This victory, achieved without Peterson, could serve as a significant confidence boost for the Jayhawks moving forward.
In closing, Self expressed optimism for the future, stating that Kansas has yet to reach its full potential. “I think that we”ve got another big step that we can take, and it”s exciting to know that I believe our best ball can still be well ahead of us,” he remarked, highlighting the team”s growth and resilience, regardless of Peterson”s presence.
