Sports

Bill Self Peeved By Darryn Peterson’s Quit Which Offered Stark Contrast To Classmate Darius Acuff

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Darryn Peterson did not play much of the second half in most recent outing vs. Oklahoma State. His absence frustrated Kansas head basketball coach Bill Self.

Self seemed irritated while discussing Peterson’s availability after the game. It offered a stark contrast to what was seen at Arkansas with classmate Darius Acuff Jr.

Both players were Top 5 recruits in the freshman class. Both are expected to be highly sought-after by NBA organizations.

Peterson is likely to be the top prospect in the NBA Draft. Production would support that assumption.

He’s averaging 20 points per game to lead the Jayhawks. It puts him at about 0.75 points per minute, which ranks second in all of college basketball.

Acuff, meanwhile, is scoring at a 22.3-point clip. Both are superstars.

Unfortunately for Kansas, its top player has been on the bench as much as he’s been on the floor.

Darryn Peterson can’t finish games.

Leg injuries were believed to have contributed to early absences in the non-conference schedule. Illness, cramping, and conditioning have also been cited as reasoning for unavailability.

In all, the guard’s missed 11 full games. He’s averaged under 27 minutes in the 15 contests he has competed in. Are injuries really to blame?

Bill Self confirmed Peterson’s setbacks in a press conference earlier this month. He says the injuries and illnesses were legitimate.

“I have gotten on X and read some of the things and narratives that are out there about him, and it’s really not remotely true…

“Was his hamstring legit? H— yes… Was his cramping legit? Yes, positively it was. Did he turn his ankle bad, to the point where he couldn’t practice for nine days? Yes…

“He’s had a string of bad luck.”

-Bill Self

Others, however, believe Peterson is saving himself for the NBA. His family presented Kansas with a load management plan. His agent appears to be heavily involved in his playing time.

Despite the off-court narratives, Bill Self has defended Darryn Peterson. The tone shifted on Wednesday.

Is this the tipping point?

“We’ve had this happen more than a couple of times,” said Self when asked about Peterson’s status. “I didn’t anticipate that tonight at all.

“I thought he was good to go. We only got 18 minutes out of him. That’s disappointing, because he could’ve had a really big night.”

Peterson scored 23 points against Oklahoma State. He played just 18 minutes. He subbed himself out after hitting a three-pointer with 17 minutes left in regulation and wouldn’t return.

Self cut Peterson’s playing time in a blowout loss to Iowa State last weekend. He was preserving energy for the Cowboys. The plan did not work.

Peterson watched almost all of the second half from the sidelines.

Darius Acuff Jr. did the opposite.

Four hours down the road in Arkansas, freshman star Darius Acuff threw caution to the wind to put his body on the line for the Razorbacks.

The guard erupted for 49 points against Alabama while playing 50 minutes in a double overtime defeat. He connected on 16-of-27 attempts while shooting 60% from beyond the arc.

Head coach John Calipari weighed in after the game. He suggested Acuff was less than 100%.

“He was in a boot for two days and still did that,” Calipari said. “I said, ‘Do you think you might have to miss this game?’ He said, ‘Are you nuts?'”

Acuff may not be the No. 1 overall pick like Peterson. He still has an NBA future in front of him. He won his fanbase over in his latest performance while his counterpart continued to lose support.

There appeared to be some quit in Darryn Peterson on Wednesday night. Darius Acuff wouldn’t let anything stop him from helping his team.