By JAMES MADDEN
LAWRENCE, KS – Opening-night was full of breakout performances from some of the top freshmen around the country, with Kansas’ Darryn Peterson being one of the top storylines Monday night. Peterson tallied 21 points, four rebounds and three assists on 7-of-11 shooting in Kansas’ 94-51 win against Green Bay.
Green Bay head coach Doug Gottlieb replied to Peterson highlights following the game and wrote: “Closest thing to Kobe I’ve seen. Kid is awesome.”
Gottlieb – who himself was a point guard in the Big 12 at Oklahoma State, raved about Peterson postgame.
“We loved him on film, more so than a lot of the other freshmen around the country,” Gottlieb said. “He just plays. That’s just a pro. Just rises up and makes a shot. It felt like he didn’t break a sweat. That was literally the easiest 21 and I thought our guys guarded him, but he’s just good.”
Peterson has battled cramping issues throughout the majority of the pre-season and was forced to miss most of the second half with the issue. Kansas head coach Bill Self said it was a combination of the game being out of hand and his cramps. Self also said that if the game was closer, Peterson would’ve likely returned to the floor.
Peterson will have his first true test in his collegiate career, with No. 19 Kansas hitting the road to face No. 25 North Carolina in Chapel Hill on Friday.
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