When the fifth-ranked Duke Blue Devils took the floor at Madison Square Garden on November 18, 2025, few expected the game to hinge on a single injured freshman. But that’s exactly what happened. Duke defeated the twenty-fourth-ranked Kansas Jayhawks 78-66 in the annual State Farm Champions ClassicNew York City, extending their perfect record to 5-0 while Kansas slipped to 3-2. The win wasn’t pretty—Duke shot just 41% from the field—but it was decisive. And the reason? The absence of Darryn Peterson, the nation’s top recruit and projected No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA draft, who missed his third straight game with a hamstring strain.
The Injury That Changed Everything
It’s hard to overstate how much Darryn Peterson means to Kansas. A 6’8” wing with elite athleticism and a knack for creating his own shot, he’s the Jayhawks’ offensive engine. Without him, Kansas looked disjointed. Coach Bill Self, in his 23rd season at Kansas, admitted afterward that the team’s offensive rhythm collapsed whenever Peterson wasn’t on the floor. "He draws double teams, opens up the floor, and creates easy looks," Self said. "We tried to compensate with movement, but we missed his gravity."
His absence wasn’t just about scoring. It was about leadership. Kansas’s offense, which had been averaging 82 points per game in Peterson’s first two games, dropped to 66 against Duke. The Jayhawks didn’t score more than 15 points in any single 5-minute stretch after halftime.
Duke’s Balanced Attack and Game Management
Duke didn’t need a superstar to win. They had depth. Cameron Boozer dominated inside with 18 points and 10 rebounds, while his twin brother, freshman guard Cayden Boozer, hit two clutch baskets late to stem a Kansas rally. Isaiah Evans added 16 points, including a dagger three after the under-4-minute timeout. And then there was Patrick Ngongba, the New York native who went 4-for-4 from the field for 13 points—perfect efficiency in a high-stakes game.
Coach Jon Scheyer, in his second year after replacing Mike Krzyzewski, outmaneuvered Self with smart substitutions and disciplined defense. He kept his team calm after Kansas trimmed the lead to 67-64 with 4:59 left. "We knew they’d make a run," Scheyer said. "Our guys stayed composed. That’s the difference between a good team and a great one."
Kansas’s Foul Trouble and Defensive Collapse
The real turning point wasn’t just Peterson’s absence—it was the avalanche of fouls. By halftime, three Kansas starters—Flory Bidunga, Bryson Tiller, and Tre White—had two fouls each. Tiller fouled out with 3:04 left. Bidunga picked up his fourth foul with 7:12 remaining, forcing Kansas into a rotation that lacked size and defensive presence.
"We didn’t play smart," said White, Kansas’s leading scorer with 22 points and 9 rebounds. "We got aggressive, but we got reckless. That’s on us."
ESPN’s game recap noted Kansas forced six turnovers in the first half but only two in the second—a pattern highlighted by Derek Johnson on the Locked On Jayhawks podcast. "They’re a team that lives off chaos early," Johnson said. "But when the game slows down, they don’t have the discipline to sustain it."
What This Means for Both Teams
Duke’s victory wasn’t just a win—it was a statement. Five games in, Scheyer’s squad has shown poise under pressure, depth beyond its stars, and the ability to win ugly. They’re not just good—they’re championship-caliber.
For Kansas, the loss was sobering but not devastating. Sports Illustrated put it best: "In the loss to Duke on Tuesday night, KU proved they have the talent to surround Darryn Peterson and become a winning team in time." Tre White, Melvin Council Jr., and freshman forward Joshua Moore all showed flashes of elite potential. The question isn’t whether they can compete—it’s whether they can stay healthy and disciplined long enough to make a deep NCAA tournament run.
What’s Next?
Duke heads to the Maui Invitational next week, where they’ll face Gonzaga and Kentucky. Their schedule gets tougher, but their confidence is soaring.
Kansas, meanwhile, enters the Players Era TournamentLas Vegas against Notre Dame and Syracuse. No official return date has been set for Peterson, but sources close to the program say he’s "progressing well" and could be back by early December. If he returns healthy, Kansas becomes a Final Four contender. If not, they’ll need to redefine their identity—and fast.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Duke win without a clear superstar performance?
Duke won with balance. Cameron Boozer led with 18 points and 10 rebounds, but six players scored between 9 and 16 points. Their defense held Kansas to 38% shooting, and they outrebounded the Jayhawks 39-31, including 13 offensive boards. Patrick Ngongba’s perfect 4-of-4 shooting and Cayden Boozer’s clutch baskets sealed the game—proof that depth, not just star power, won this one.
Why was Darryn Peterson’s absence so impactful for Kansas?
Peterson wasn’t just Kansas’s top scorer—he was its offensive focal point. He drew double teams, created open looks for teammates, and provided elite isolation scoring. Without him, Kansas’s offense stalled, particularly in the half-court. They averaged just 0.85 points per possession after halftime, down from 1.12 earlier. His absence exposed a lack of secondary playmakers.
What role did foul trouble play in Kansas’s loss?
Foul trouble crippled Kansas’s frontcourt. Flory Bidunga and Bryson Tiller both picked up two fouls before the 6:40 mark in the first half. Tiller fouled out with 3:04 left, and Bidunga picked up his fourth with 7:12 remaining. This forced Kansas into smaller lineups, opening the paint for Duke’s Boozer twins and limiting Kansas’s ability to contest inside shots or rebound effectively.
Is Kansas still a contender without Peterson?
Yes—but only if they adapt. Tre White and Melvin Council Jr. showed they can carry the scoring load, and the defense has improved. But without Peterson’s ability to create in isolation, they’ll struggle against elite teams. Their upcoming games against Notre Dame and Syracuse will test whether they can win without him, or if they’re too reliant on his talent to survive the NCAA tournament.
How does this game affect Duke’s national title chances?
This win signals Duke is a legitimate contender. They beat a top-25 team on the road without their most explosive player, Isaiah Evans, playing through a minor ankle tweak. Jon Scheyer’s leadership and the team’s poise under pressure suggest they can win close games against elite competition. With a balanced attack and strong bench, they’re now in the conversation with Alabama, Houston, and Purdue for the national title.
When is Darryn Peterson expected to return?
No official return date has been announced, but multiple sources close to the Kansas program say Peterson is "progressing well" and could return by early December, possibly for the Players Era Tournament’s final game. He’s been participating in light shooting drills and non-contact conditioning, but there’s no rush—he’s being managed carefully to avoid re-injury.
