![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AKFZQPXP2NEOFGFYUJ4E6D3W3Y.jpg\")
The Kansas Jayhawks compete against the TCU Horned Frogs during the Phillips 66 Big 12 Men\u2019s Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri on March 12, 2026.<\/p>\nKANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – A rarely seen aggressiveness from Kansas guard Darryn Peterson was on display Thursday night as the Jayhawks opened postseason play.<\/p>\n
As the Jayhawks struggled through a game in which Kansas head coach Bill Self said aptly \u201cI don\u2019t think we played our best by any stretch,\u201d it was a Peterson parade to the free throw line that in part saved KU from an upset.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe thing we did best, obviously, was get fouled and shoot free throws,\u201d Self said. \u201cSo that was great to see.<\/p>\n
Without his shot falling from the perimeter for much of the night, Peterson attacked the basket time and time again. In the bonus with more than 11 minutes remaining in the second half, Peterson was able to get some offensive rhythm at the free throw line, where he produced 13 of his game-high 24 points in what turned out to be a 78-73 Kansas victory.<\/p>\n
\u201cMissed three,\u201d Peterson said following the win, harping on the trio of misses on a night he made more than a dozen from the foul line. \u201cI feel like I\u2019m a pretty hard guard. That\u2019s why they gotta foul me sometimes. And (I) gotta make them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Eventually, Peterson\u2019s rhythm at the line helped him get into the groove required to finish off the Horned Frogs with a turnaround jumper near the free throw line to give KU a 72-65 lead with 41 seconds left. <\/p>\n
As for why he was able to attack the rim so frequently, the Kansas star attributed his health and basketball knowledge as the two biggest reasons.<\/p>\n
The Kansas Jayhawks compete against the TCU Horned Frogs during the Phillips 66 Big 12 Men\u2019s Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri on March 12, 2026.<\/p>\n
(Denny Medley\\Big 12 Conference)(Denny Medley\\Big 12 Conference | Denny Medley\\Big 12 Conference)<\/p>\n
\u201cProbably both feeling better and watching film,\u201d Peterson said following just the second double-figure free throw attempt performance of the year — the last coming in January against TCU when Peterson attempted 15 free throws against the Horned Frogs. \u201cI see I was taking 3s instead of getting downhill, and getting downhill helps the team. I\u2019m trying to do that more.\u201d<\/p>\n
Senior forward Tre White said Peterson\u2019s drives are important to the Jayhawks\u2019 ability to create offense.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery time he\u2019ll create two or three sets of eyes looking at him,\u201d White said. \u201cIt gives our team easy backdoors, easy catch-and-shoots, just more action on the backside and get us into the bonus earlier. Whenever he\u2019s downhill like that it\u2019s nothing but good things that can happen.\u201d<\/p>\n
Peterson said his teammates and coaches were imploring him to be aggressive the whole game. That kept the star guard attacking on a night he set his college career high in minutes played with 37.<\/p>\n
\u201cSuper excited,\u201d Peterson said about his minutes high. \u201cThroughout the year, my body was holding me back. But to finally feel free out there feels great.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t even think of taking him out tonight,\u201d said Self after Peterson played all 20 second-half minutes. \u201cA month ago you may try to limit his minutes to the point where he could still feel good down the finish line. I can\u2019t speak for Darryn, but I would think that over the last two or three weeks, (his) body\u2019s felt a lot better.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/J5H4UFRDG5GSLHZYA3HBWL7S3A.jpg\")
The Kansas Jayhawks compete against the TCU Horned Frogs during the Phillips 66 Big 12 Men\u2019s Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri on March 12, 2026.<\/p>\n
(Denny Medley\\Big 12 Conference)(Denny Medley\\Big 12 Conference | Denny Medley\\Big 12 Conference)<\/p>\n
As postseason play progresses, Peterson\u2019s propensity to attack will be critical, according to Self.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe best players have got to be aggressive all the time,\u201d the legendary Kansas coach said. \u201cAnd he\u2019s the best player. The same with (Kansas sophomore center Flory Bidunga). We\u2019ll be a lot better when these two are aggressive all the time, and they know that.<\/p>\n
\u201cSometimes aggressiveness leads to missing shots, but at least you put yourself in position to make plays.\u201d<\/p>\n
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