No. 8 Kansas men's basketball has had to adjust on the fly more than once this season. Wednesday night was another example of how comfortable the Jayhawks have become doing just that.
Kansas freshman guard Darryn Peterson set the tone early, but it was the Jayhawks’ role players who pushed the team past the finish line. Darryn Peterson poured in 23 points in only 18 minutes before leaving with cramping issues, but there was no drop in intensity after he went to the bench. Instead, Kansas leaned on its depth and experience to close out an 81-69 win over Oklahoma State.
“It’s happened often enough that our guys have learned to play without him,” head coach Bill Self said.
That experience showed in the second half.
Elmarko Jackson played with poise and control, finishing with 14 points and four assists. Self said he thought Jackson was Kansas’ best player over the course of the game. The sophomore guard attacked when lanes opened and made the simple play when defenders collapsed.
“Just understanding offense more,” Jackson said. “Understanding when to be aggressive, when to move the ball.”
Tre White added 16 points and five rebounds, and his shooting gave Kansas breathing room at key moments. After a quiet start, White knocked down two straight 3-pointers in the second half that forced an Oklahoma State timeout and pushed the lead back to double digits.
“Finally hit one. You know, I feel good,” White said. “My teammates every day in practice just encourage me.”
Bryson Tiller continued to show why teammates trust him in multiple roles. The freshman forward recorded 10 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists. His ability to rebound and facilitate helped Kansas keep the offense steady even without Peterson on the floor.
“He was diming,” White said. “That’s normal for him. We see it every day.”
Peterson’s cramps remain a concern for Self, especially with March approaching. Still, Kansas has proven it can respond when circumstances change. The ball moved, the defense stayed connected and different players stepped into bigger roles.
Through 26 games, that balance has become one of Kansas’ strengths. The Jayhawks improved to 20-6 overall and 10-3 in Big 12 play, and once again showed they are more than a one-player team.
On a night that started with a freshman scoring barrage, it ended with a reminder that depth can be just as valuable as star power.