Kansas Freshman Darryn Peterson OUT Against UConn Due to Injury
UPDATE: Kansas Jayhawks’ star freshman Darryn Peterson will miss tonight’s crucial matchup against UConn due to a lingering hamstring injury, the university confirmed just hours ago. This marks the seventh consecutive game Peterson has been sidelined as he continues to recover.
Head coach Bill Self stated, “Darryn is not going to play tonight. He is very close. He has worked his butt off, but he is still not 100 percent. He is day-to-day.” The absence of Peterson, who was averaging an impressive 21.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.0 assists in his first two games this season, is a significant blow to the Jayhawks.
Despite Peterson’s absence, Kansas has shown resilience, winning five of their last six games. Their only loss came against Duke at Madison Square Garden. Last week, the Jayhawks triumphed at the Players Era Championship in Las Vegas, including a notable 81-76 victory over Tennessee in the third-place game.
In response to Peterson’s injury, Coach Self has adapted the lineup, opting for a larger presence on the court by utilizing 6-foot-11 Bryson Tiller alongside Flory Bidunga. Tiller has stepped up, averaging 9.2 points and 7.2 rebounds as a starter. Additionally, guard Jamari McDowell has been promoted to the starting lineup, making an impact with two three-pointers in each of his last two games.
The game against UConn is set to tip off at 8:00 PM EST tonight, and Jayhawks fans are eager to see how the team performs without their star player. Keep an eye on updates as the situation develops, particularly regarding Peterson’s recovery and return to the court. The implications for the upcoming NBA Draft are significant, as Peterson has been projected as a top contender for the number one pick in June.
Stay tuned for more breaking updates on this developing story.
