Kansas men's basketball star freshman Darryn Peterson has been on and off the court all season, but in Tuesday's win over Iowa State, he said it was as free as he has felt in a while, along with the TCU game.
“Yeah, I would say so,” Peterson said postgame. “I felt pretty good today. Probably felt better at TCU, but it’s a battle every day. I want to get better.”
The Kansas guard scored 16 points and attacked the basket with confidence Tuesday night as the Jayhawks rolled past No. 2 Iowa State 84-63 at Allen Fieldhouse, delivering their most complete performance of Big 12 play.
After battling cramps and working his way back from a hamstring injury, Peterson looked explosive again, consistently getting downhill against Iowa State’s defense.
“I’m feeling better,” Peterson said. “It’s coming back slowly to me. I was out for a while, but every game I feel like I’m getting better. That was a great win.”
Peterson was aggressive from the opening minutes, forcing help defenders to collapse and creating space for Kansas’ shooters on the perimeter. He also tried to finish strong through contact, a sign his legs are beginning to respond after weeks of frustration.
“Yeah, I would say so,” Peterson said when asked if the plays were an indication his explosiveness is returning. “I probably wasn’t capable in some of the other games, but I think that’s a good sign for me.”
Although he exited briefly in the second half with calf cramps, Peterson said he felt “pretty good” overall and called it one of his freer performances in recent weeks.
“It’s a battle every day,” he said. “I want to get better.”
Kansas will need Peterson at full strength as Big 12 play ramps up, and Tuesday night offered the clearest sign yet that his body, and his game, are trending in the right direction.