Is Darryn Peterson playing today? Why the Jayhawks star was out this week

Kansas basketball fans barely had time to catch their breath this week.

After a late scratch kept star freshman Darryn Peterson out of Monday’s upset of top-ranked Arizona, the ninth-ranked Jayhawks now appear set to have their leading scorer back for Saturday’s top-10 showdown against No. 5 Iowa State.

Peterson, who was ruled out shortly before tipoff against the Wildcats with flu-like symptoms, is expected to play after practicing later in the week. His absence created confusion leading into the Arizona game, especially after Kansas never listed him on its pregame availability report.

“We thought he’d go,” coach Bill Self said earlier in the week. “I thought adrenaline would kick in.”

More: Kansas fires back at viral video alleging Darryn Peterson was benched

Despite the drama, Kansas rallied for one of the biggest wins of the season without its leading scorer. Now, the Jayhawks have a chance to climb even higher with a victory over the Cyclones.

Peterson, averaging 20.5 points per game, remains one of the nation’s most dynamic offensive threats. His return could be the difference in a matchup that could shape the Big 12 race and the national rankings moving forward.

More college basketball news:

• Hubert Davis buyout, contract details as UNC Tar Heels coach
• 'Basketball Saved My Life': Why Master P came home to rebuild New Orleans
• Bruce Pearl sends warning to NBA teams about Kansas' Darryn Peterson
• Why FOX blocked St. John’s from participating in a major college basketball event
• John Calipari says college athletics is broken — Here’s his plan to fix It