@BShark

Your NY Times link calls it right.

I looked back at my posts on this thread... hate to call out the critics with an "I told you so" but I was pretty accurate on my call.

Here it is:

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3 Dec 2025, 19:56
I still have confidence in his return and this is all a legitimate concern about his health.

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16 Dec 2025, 09:26 I don't think DP tweaked anything. I think he's just super sensitive to tightening and Self put down a rule on the max he can play in a game, plus, the option to pull him if he sees him labor. I think the media is just looking for a story.

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6 Jan 2026, 14:23

I find it highly likely DP has overtrained. I know I am going against the grain here because everyone wants to see him dominate and bring us to another title... but I've been impressed with his discipline to stick to a protocol. I'm certain it was that same discipline that brought him to this level in the first place.

It's easy for all of us to gripe at him and call him "oversensitive" to his situation. None of us had to endure what he did to get to this level, nor do we really comprehend what's at risk if he gets hurt.

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9 Jan 2026, 08:21

I also wonder if he might be battling psychological issues with this. Maybe a little ptsd from an early injury or issue. I don't think it has to be much to cause an over sensitive reaction because on top of it all is this huge payday awaiting him.

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2 Feb 2026, 14:21

I've been studying DP's game. I've never seen a college player so perfect on fundamentals. Those fundamentals weren't a God-given talent. He's worked his butt off his whole life to develop DP. But here is the deal... so has a lot of great players, but none reach the pinnacle of fundamental perfection like DP. That tells me he sits in the Top 1% of OCD perfection. Everything has to be perfect for him. So that same high-strung sensitivity he has for the game is also there assessing his second-by-second health bio during games. When he senses even a tiny tightness, or being tired a bit too much, he decides that puts him at a higher-level of injury risk.

If you study him closely, right now, when he's in a game you can tell how well he feels. Sometimes he gives near 100%, while other times he's not nearly as aggressive. He dials in an EXACT level of aggression.

@DCHawker

I agree what you are saying and the analytics speak for themselves.

I always said we know he's helping when his assist numbers climb. But just having him go 1-on-1 isn't working.

They haven't worked with him to integrate him. I wonder if he practices at all with the team.

I don't blame DP on any of this. He hasn't been coached since coming to KU. WHY? Even on Self interviews they ask questions and Bill hasn't even communicated with him sometimes for a week.

This team, even without DP, has not grown this year as a team. We have the players to win really every game. I don't think they do much team practice.

Integrating DP was going to take some effort... mostly coaching effort. Never happened. I'm not sure if things would have been much different if he hadn't had all the health issues.

That Houston game really exposed us. We had so little discipline. We just kept doing the same thing that wasn't working... basically for our guards to just go 1-on-1... the original really rough version of a motion offense, that Cal used to run but he had stars running it.

I'm frustrated. I saw huge potential with this team and it will go unrealized.

When was the last time we ran the baseline backdoor alley oop!

@BeddieKU23 said in Darryn Peterson:

Do you think the way defenses are guarding Peterson these days has an influence on the shots he's getting lately. Seems like every team is throwing 2-3 guys his way and he's not getting open looks.

Of course, this makes it even worse!

But they throw this at him because he just stands on the side on the 3-pt line, awaiting a pass. If he would run laterally, across the defense, running all kinds of fakes and direction changes, it would create a huge mess if teams think they can keep two guys on him. If that happens, DP is then making natural forming screens for other players.

The predictable thing for him to do would have us set a high ball screen for him. That can work sometimes... but wouldn't count on that always working.

Tre would be great at this. He stands around on the 3-pt line... he could cut right down into the paint, while DP runs in from the other side. One of these guys is going to then pop open on the other side on the 3-pt line.

My point is we need to at least attempt to run offense. We seem to just quit running schemes over a month ago, and hence, our record shows it!

I'm just going to say it... Darryn Peterson's shooting slump is because we run NOTHING for him! We just give him the ball, head of the key, and tell him to go 1-on-1. He just stands on the perimeter, then suddenly runs towards the ball to receive it.. then goes 1-on-1.

This is ridiculous.

In a couple hours I can go coach a team and run off ball schemes to free up a shooter. He should be running right through the defenses, creating his own off ball screens by running by his own players. This isn't rocket science. He should be taking 20 catch-and-shoots per game! If he does, his % will bounce back to 45% or so.

I remember 2022 well. I'm not saying this team will match that, but who thought we would win it all back then? I definitely didn't see that nattie coming! When our current team plays motivated, they win.. almost regardless if they have a bad shooting night, because their key is defense. And when they play motivated they rebound, too!

We control our own destiny. We've beat #1 already. They can play with anyone, and from what I see, I think UA should be the favorite to win it all, and we know we can go toe-to-toe with them!

It doesn't seem like our fanbase is very optimistic going into the tournament.

1. We are truly flying under the radar this year!

2. We haven't played a non-conference game in months, so we play teams that don't know how to play against Self.

3. DP is the healthiest he has been this year and this is the big stage where he can show his talent.

4. Tre is back! He's warming up on his long ball again!

5. Melvin (the Dawg) doesn't want to quit playing as a Jayhawk so he'll fight like hell every game!

6. Flory is like Melvin... they both want to keep playing!

7. Bryson will be rested and pushed to step it up a notch.

8. Elmarko is finally feeling healthy again.

9. Our guys are playing with a chip! (haha... I wish... never mind! )

@BeddieKU23

Yes... Sometimes I wonder... if DP traded for more minutes but at reduced aggressiveness?

I don't like to complain about refs... then I'm a typical fan making a typical rant. These last two games have been horrible to watch. I couldn't identify it was KU. We did not receive a favorable whistle. For sure. But look at the current top teams in America. Do you think they always get a favorable whistle on the road? We just aren't playing to our potential... at all! I know people want to blame DP. He's a kid and he's now going deep in what is called the "freshman slump." I think most of his slump is because of all the crazy attention he has received lately. It must be hard for him to focus. Look at his stat sheet. He did a helluva lot, except his shooting went south. I'm not sure this team can get it together in time this year. Now would be the time to have another team meeting with just the players. It worked last time and I said I thought we would have another meeting this season.

This has been a fun year... hope we aren't sizzling out. Sure looks like there is some discontent on this team suddenly. Suck it up, boys!

Okay... I know what you are thinking... drgnslayr is back to hammer down the need for a "chip" moving forward. And, of course, you aren't wrong!

But I'm going to add to my obvious perspective.

We now know we can beat any team in America. We also know we can lose to any team in America. What is the deciding factor? I think most of you now get it. It's all about defense! We shut down Houston, and then besides Tre, no other player had a big offensive night.

Even with Flory in the paint, we are capable of getting pounded in the paint. That still doesn't usually measure up to losing a game. Most of the time, we get beat from the 3s. We are capable of losing, even when our defense isn't too bad on the perimeter.

Last night, I watched the play where Mel took off on a fastbreak at full speed, then he hit the breaks for an almost flat-footed dunk. That gave me an idea, once I meshed what he did with what Houston does constantly... half of their offensive boards are not rebounds as much as they are spiking the ball out to the perimeter.

Have any of you played ball on the perimeter? Do you know how hard it is to focus on netting 3s when you also have to worry about your guy taking off on a fastbreak?

It doesn't seem like we truly utilize the speed Melvin possesses. What if we spiked or tossed him a few touchdown passes for runouts every game? Not only can we pickup some easy baskets... we should make teams think about it throughout the game. I bet we can bring down opposing teams' 3-pt %s considerably, if we play to this strategy. We don't have to use it constantly. But we should keep sending Mel throughout the game so teams think about it.

Self mentioned last night that we are far from reaching the ceiling of this team. Doesn't some of that ceiling involve the potential of using Mel's speed? I'd throw DP's speed in this, too.

And when Flory is out on the perimeter defending? Send him once in a while! He has great speed!

What our guys need to know... sometimes it's smart to charge after a 3-pt shooter like you are going for an aggressive block, when really you are starting to run by him on your way towards a fastbreak!

If you study our defense carefully... you will find that the biggest factor in making us have a great defense is having Flory. It's not just that he swats some balls. It's that he gets into the heads of the teams we play. This was definitely the case against Houston!

Why can't we sometimes run the fastbreak to add one more thing to put in teams' heads? Why won't it work?

Fran constantly pisses me off... but I can't believe this story. Fran is smart enough to realize how risky this would be, especially in modern times where everyone has a video camera in their phone. That would not only get him banned from KU, but also the Big 12 and other work he has.

Even though Fran sometimes says bad remarks in a game, it's okay for us to have a guy like that around. He gives us someone to post about... usually making fun of him.

I used to despise Dickie V. Then when he battled for his life from cancer and survived... I softened my thoughts completely. Then when I discovered how much he is doing to raise awareness and money for cancer, I suddenly became a fan!

It's easy to take things "personal" from these sports commentators, but at the end of the day, they put their pants on just like we do.

So glad to see Flory coming on strong! I just hope he comes back for one more year... because with him next year, we will surely be picked to win it all!

Sorry... I've been AWOL!

I only watched 3 minutes of this game, and I'm glad I missed it.

I just looked at the box score and it feeds right into a thought I've had for quite some time.... it's about Tre.

Tre has been our most consistent player all year and I am very glad we have him, because he usually finds his way to putting up good stats with lots of points and some needed rebounds.

I'm thinking Tre is a guy who always takes advantage of the opportunity to prosper on average defenders. But when the competition toughens up, his production dies.

He scored 2 against ISU, and 4 against UA. And I noticed this same trend in other tough battles.

We really can't afford almost no production from any position. This is worse than Juan.

Concerning DP... it was hard to imagine him doing well in this game. Hostile environment and energetic defense. Coming off the flu. Knocking the rust off his game. And he still isn't integrated into the offense. Until he starts averaging at least 4 apg, I won't be convinced he is integrated. He should be creating even more than that! I've heard all the excuses why he doesn't produce assists and I'm not buying any of them.

His assist line might not be as important to NBA scouts as his points line, but I guarantee you it is important.

At this point in the season, he really can't miss more games if we hope on really capitalizing on using him towards anything near the potential. But since our depth is limited, we can still use him no matter what, but we just can't hope to get a real bump.

I wasn't really expecting we would leave the Hilton with a W, but I was hoping more for a loss similar to what UH just had. To see such a fall off like that doesn't really give me March optimism. But I predicted we would lose a few more then have another team meeting like we did earlier.

We've seen so much recent growth... hope that keeps going because we need more development to be truly competitive in March. I've forgotten completely about competing for the B12 crown.

Yes! As fun as this team can be on offense... it's been their defense that has kept them in games. Flory really stepped up on D after that WVU game. He's one of the top defenders in the country and he really cleaned up his foul trouble.

Self just mentioned how that stats on the bench aren't good, but he does think they come through when we need them.

Alright—gotcha.
If you clicked expecting some hidden schematic or undercover transfer, furgettaboutit! True Jayhawk fans know better. And yes, podcasters… we see your eyes watching!

So does Kansas have a “secret weapon” heading into March Madness?

The answer is absolutely yes—and it’s not just one thing.

College basketball fans across the country are starting to lock in on this Jayhawks team. Why? Because they’re seeing what many of us have sensed all season: this team hasn’t even come close to its ceiling yet!

The Turning Point

Let’s start with where things changed.

After that rough night in Morgantown, the players held a closed-door meeting on January 10. Since then? Six games. Six wins. Zero doubts.

That wasn’t just a meeting—it was a reset. The message was simple: raise the standard. And the response has been undeniable.

Still Climbing

Here’s the scary part for the rest of the country: no honest basketball fan can look at this Kansas roster and say they’ve maxed out. Improvement is still coming—across the board.

The most obvious leap lately? Our post play!

Flory and Bryson are becoming a legitimate inside nightmare. Their chemistry has skyrocketed, especially with their growing comfort passing to each other—often leading to emphatic finishes at the rim. It’s physical. It’s smart. And it’s starting to dictate games.

The Backbone: Tre White

Tre White has been Kansas’ most consistent presence all season. And make no mistake—this isn’t a “good enough” guy. This is a grown man who impacts winning even when his shot isn’t falling.

Rebounding. Hustle. Leadership. Toughness. Finish thru contact.

As the team elevates, Tre’s ceiling rises with it. He’s not staying where he is—he’s going up another level.

The Connection Factor

Darryn and Melvin belong together in this conversation. Not because they need to be glued at the hip—but because their next step is connection.

They’re learning how to move in sync, how to play off each other, and how to stay aggressive without forcing things. And let’s not forget—Darryn logged 37 minutes at Texas Tech. That matters as we move forward!

The Bench Will Matter

Stat sheets won’t tell the full story here, but the tape does.

Jamari has quietly stepped into a meaningful role that many didn’t see coming—and he’s delivered when called upon. Elmarko? The flashes have been loud. When he plays with confidence and energy, his athleticism is absolutely big-league.

Kansas will need more than seven guys as March wears on. Those “blow minutes” will be critical—and the pieces are there.

️ Health Warning ️

If you’re faint of heart, now’s the time to step away.

Because here’s the truth: this team has another gear!

There will be one more players-only meeting before the NCAA Tournament begins. And that conversation won’t be about survival—it’ll be about domination.

DP still has another level. Anyone surprised by that hasn’t been paying attention. His version of “cautious” is still dropping 20+ in a half. When he fully unleashes it, everyone will notice.

And once he does?
Melvin and Flory follow.
Bryson and Tre aren’t far behind.
And whatever you do—don’t sleep on Elmarko! He’s been playing at about 80%, not because he can’t do more, but because the mental switch hasn’t fully flipped yet.

That’s about to change.

Why This Team Is Dangerous

Kansas has the potential to smother teams in March. Defense. Rebounding. Physicality. Depth.

Holding opponents under 30% shooting.
Winning the glass on both ends.
Turning defense into steals and transition points.

When you defend like that, hot or cold shooting nights stop mattering.

No team in the country has this much untapped upside left.

And the best part? You can’t scout “another gear.”

Bill Self will do what he always does—prepare his team the right way. Strong defenders at all five spots. Smart switching. Subtle tweaks. Championship habits.

The rest of the country is just now catching on.

Kansas already knows who we are!

Rock Chalk!

@kjayhawks2.0

100000%!

But I will warn you... if we have a game where Darryn scores 30 on 10 of 11 from the field, but that last shot was his miss in the final seconds and didn't save the game, like last night's shot did.... those very same critics will be back!

So few people on this earth learn a damn thing in life! Very sad.

BTW: If we sign Stokes we are easily preseason #1 next year, and actually deserve it this time! It's absolutely SICK to think of next year when you figure out who we might have coming back from this team. So far, I believe Flory returns... along with Bryson, Elmarko... and maybe we have a 50/50 to get Melvin back (by extending his eligibility)!

If all that happens... this will be the most stacked KU team of all times!

@benshawks08

You could be right.

One other thing... look who is watching all our games now... Tyran Stokes.

It says a lot to a guy like him to know that his coach will protect his interests like a real parent!

I'm still of the belief DP is making the call on his own minutes. I am starting to think of something else.... hear me out.

I've been studying DP's game. I've never seen a college player so perfect on fundamentals. Those fundamentals weren't a God-given talent. He's worked his butt off his whole life to develop DP. But here is the deal... so has a lot of great players, but none reach the pinnacle of fundamental perfection like DP. That tells me he sits in the Top 1% of OCD perfection. Everything has to be perfect for him. So that same high-strung sensitivity he has for the game is also there assessing his second-by-second health bio during games. When he senses even a tiny tightness, or being tired a bit too much, he decides that puts him at a higher-level of injury risk.

If you study him closely, right now, when he's in a game you can tell how well he feels. Sometimes he gives near 100%, while other times he's not nearly as aggressive. He dials in an EXACT level of aggression.

This is what is driving his minutes. Just my humble opinion.

This is a good watch... KG interviewing Paul.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DKo-KEg7Cg

Stay on until the end and it takes you to the other KG / Pierce interview.