The Kansas Jayhawks reach the holiday break with a 10-3 record and a spot inside the national rankings, but this season has required a different approach than usual.
Kansas Balancing Wins and Patience
Kansas has spent much of December adjusting, reshuffling, and learning how to win without a full roster available every night.
At the center of that adjustment is freshman wing Darryn Peterson. Widely viewed as one of the most talented players in the country, Peterson has been limited by injury and has appeared in only a handful of games. Rather than rushing him back, Kansas has chosen patience.
Bill Self and the Long-Term Approach
Head coach Bill Self has made it clear that Peterson’s return will not be forced. The decision has been a collaborative one, with Peterson’s family aligned with the program on waiting until he is as close to full strength as possible.
That patience has shaped the Jayhawks’ identity. Kansas has leaned more heavily on defense, effort, and depth, trusting that short-term discomfort could pay off once conference play begins. It has also opened the door for other players to take on expanded roles, something Self believes will benefit the team in the long run.
Winning Without a Full Deck
Even with Peterson sidelined, Kansas has found ways to win. The Jayhawks have defended at a high level and avoided prolonged slumps, staying competitive against a challenging nonconference schedule. Multiple players have stepped forward offensively, and the rotation has grown deeper with each passing week.
Kansas is not yet the finished product, but at 10-3, the results have kept the team firmly in position as Big 12 play arrives.
January Arrives With No Easy Openers
The waiting period for answers will not last long. Kansas opens conference play on January 3 on the road at UCF, followed by a home game against TCU on January 6. The schedule then sends the Jayhawks to West Virginia on January 10 before a marquee home matchup with Iowa State on January 13.
Those four games will test Kansas immediately. They also underline why patience with Peterson has mattered. The Big 12 offers little room for recovery, and Kansas will need to be healthy and settled as quickly as possible.
Peterson’s Return Could Change Everything
When Peterson has been on the floor, his impact has been obvious. His scoring ability, size, and confidence add another dimension to the Kansas offense. The challenge is timing his return in a way that strengthens the team rather than disrupts its rhythm.
Kansas believes that waiting now could lead to greater payoff later. With January looming and the Big 12 grind about to begin, the Jayhawks are betting that patience with Darryn Peterson will be worth it when the games matter most.