Kansas coach Bill Self says Darryn Peterson on track to return vs. Missouri, with a caveat

Gary Bedore, The Kansas City Star on Dec 5, 2025

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LAWRENCE, Kan. — Kansas Jayhawks guard Darryn Peterson, who has played in just two of nine games during his freshman season because of a strained hamstring, should return for Sunday’s Border War men’s basketball showdown against Missouri in Kansas City, KU coach Bill Self said Friday.

Peterson, a 6-foot-6, 205-pound native of Canton, Ohio, who has averaged 21.5 points per game in those two contests, has been practicing at full speed since the Jayhawks’ 61-56 home loss to UConn on Tuesday.

“He should be available,” Self said of the noon KU-MU tipoff at T-Mobile Center, “unless he has a setback between now and game time. But we’re approaching it like he’s available.”

Self said Peterson has not been limited at all in scrimmage situations at practice.

“We wouldn’t put him out there unless he was full speed. So he’s doing that for sure,” Self said.

Self was asked if it’s been difficult to determine how ready Peterson needs to be to return to game action. Peterson played in the Jayhawks’ opener against Green Bay and road contest at North Carolina, but he has been out since the game in Chapel Hill on Nov. 7.

“I think it’s a long season and, from my vantage point, totally symptom free would be the thing,” Self said. “I would say that would constitute putting him out there. If he’s not totally symptom free, I’m not going to put him out there. It’s not conference (season). Even though it’s important, it’s not conference.”

KU senior guard Melvin Council Jr. has been leading the fast break in Peterson’s absence.

“I sense that whoever gets it should bring it,” Self said of advancing the ball down the court.

Self cracked a joke when asked if Peterson has been shooting the ball well during his recent workouts. KU as a team this season has made 62 of 188 3-point attempts (33.0%). Opponents are 59 of 238 for 24.8%.

“He’s sleeping eight hours and eating three squares a day,” Self said, adding, “he hasn’t played in a while and a big part of it is, does he have rhythm? He’s not going to be the player on Sunday that he will be a month from Sunday. I still believe that he can be pretty effective.”

Self has been impressed with Peterson’s desire to get back on the court in games.

“He’s tried his (butt) off to get back sooner,” the coach said. “If it wasn’t for his four days of four times a day treatment and everything else going on, maybe he would be out longer. I’m really looking forward to having him back out there, but more so for him than anything else.”