The No. 11 Kansas Jayhawks secured a 71-59 victory over Utah on Saturday afternoon, but head coach Bill Self expressed concerns about his team’s performance, particularly regarding freshman standout Darryn Peterson. Peterson finished with a season-low of 14 points, which Self attributed, in part, to a lack of effort.
“I didn’t think he had a good week,” Self stated post-game. He acknowledged Peterson’s impressive showing against BYU but highlighted that the young player struggled to maintain that same level of energy in recent games, including against Utah. Peterson’s contributions included three rebounds, two steals, and one assist, with a shooting line of 5-of-12 from the field and 1-of-5 from beyond the arc.
Self didn’t solely place the blame on Peterson, noting that the entire team appeared sluggish throughout the game. He pointed out that other players like Tre White shared similar struggles with energy and intensity. “When other teams are geeked up to not let you catch it… you’ve got to play at a different energy level,” Self remarked, emphasizing the need for increased effort.
Despite these concerns, Kansas remains on a positive streak, achieving their seventh consecutive win. The upcoming challenge against No. 1 Arizona will serve as a significant test for the team. On a brighter note, Self mentioned the encouraging aspect of Peterson’s playing time, as he logged 33 minutes for the third straight game, suggesting that he continues to be an integral part of the team’s strategy moving forward.
As the Jayhawks prepare for their next matchup, there is optimism that Peterson, along with his teammates, can rise to the occasion and elevate their game against a top competitor.