AJ Dybantsa surges to No. 1 pick favorite after a dominant Big 12 Tournament, eclipsing Darryn Peterson's previous reign.
Darryn Peterson No Longer Betting Favorite For No. 1 Pick After Big 12 Tournament
Kansas freshman guard Darryn Peterson is no longer the betting favorite to be selected No. 1 overall in the 2026 NBA Draft following the Big 12 Tournament.
BYU freshman AJ Dybantsa moved into the top spot after a standout performance in Kansas City, where he averaged 31.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists over three games. His production helped shift sportsbook odds, with Dybantsa listed at +100 on FanDuel and Peterson at +130.
Peterson entered the season as the clear favorite and was previously listed as a significant front-runner in early odds.
During the Big 12 Tournament, Peterson averaged 19.0 points per game but struggled with efficiency, shooting below his season averages as Kansas advanced to the semifinals before losing to Houston.
The shift in odds comes amid a season in which Peterson has missed time due to injuries and cramping issues. He sat out 11 games during the regular season and had limited minutes in several others.
Despite the change in betting markets, Peterson remains among the top prospects in the class. He is averaging 19.8 points and 4.4 rebounds per game in his freshman season and has been recognized with All-Big 12 and all-freshman honors.
Dybantsa’s rise has tightened what was once viewed as a clear race for the top pick. Other prospects, including Duke forward Cameron Boozer, are also expected to be part of the conversation as the draft approaches.
With the NCAA Tournament set to begin, both players will have additional opportunities to impact their draft positioning before June.
Kansas Assistant Jeremy Case Interviews for Arizona State Head Coaching Job
A potential shakeup could be coming to the Kansas men's basketball coaching staff, as associate head coach Jeremy Case has reportedly interviewed for the head coaching vacancy at Arizona State.
According to college basketball analyst Jeff Goodman, Case is among several candidates being considered to replace Bobby Hurley, whose tenure in Tempe lasted 11 seasons. While Randy Bennett is widely viewed as the frontrunner, Case’s name remains in the mix as the search continues.
Case, 41, is a former Kansas player who suited up for the program from 2003 to 2008. He appeared in 94 games and contributed to the Jayhawks’ 2008 national championship team. After his playing career, he steadily climbed the coaching ranks, beginning as a graduate assistant at Kansas before making stops at Southeast Missouri State and Houston Baptist.
He returned to Lawrence in 2016 and has since earned increasing responsibility under head coach Bill Self. Most recently, Case became the program’s associate head coach, the first to hold that title under Self. The move signaled his importance to the staff and his long-term potential.
Self has long expressed confidence that Case will eventually become a head coach, citing his basketball IQ and leadership ability. His familiarity with Big 12 competition could make him an appealing option for Arizona State as it looks to remain competitive in a challenging conference landscape.
Kansas underwent notable staff changes this past offseason, including the additions of former NBA head coach Jacque Vaughn and veteran assistant Tony Bland. If Case departs, it would mark another significant transition for the Jayhawks’ bench.
Though some within the program have viewed Case as a potential successor to Self, his pursuit of external opportunities suggests he may seek to build a head coaching résumé elsewhere first.
If hired, Case would face Kansas in conference play, a development that would underscore both his professional rise and deep ties to the Jayhawks program. Although Case has reportedly interviewed for the head coach opening, nothing will be announced or made official until after the Jayhawks' season is over. Kansas plays Cal Baptist in the first round of March Madness on Friday.
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