Kansas vs. BYU live score, updates, highlights from AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson freshman showdown

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The No. 13-ranked BYU Cougars are headed to Lawrence this Saturday for a high-stakes Big 12 collision against the No. 14 Kansas Jayhawks at Allen Fieldhouse.

While the conference standings are on the line, the basketball world is fixated on a singular matchup: the head-to-head battle between the two favorites for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. For BYU, rookie sensation AJ Dybantsa arrives on a historic tear, fresh off a 43-point performance against Utah that broke the program’s freshman scoring record and as one of the top scorers in college basketball.

He’ll be met by Kansas’ own phenom, projected No. 1 pick Darryn Peterson, who is expected to return to the lineup after resting a sprained ankle. The last time these two shared a court in high school, they combined for over 100 points — now, they meet with ESPN's "College GameDay" in the building and the eyes of every NBA scout watching.

Beyond the Peterson-Dybantsa marquee, the depth on both rosters is staggering. Kansas has found a dominant interior force in Flory Bidunga, while senior guard Melvin Council Jr. and Tre White have kept the Jayhawks steady during Peterson's recent absence. For the Cougars, Kevin Young’s NBA-style offense has unlocked elite production from Keba Keita in the paint and the sharpshooting of Richie Saunders, making BYU one of the most dangerous offensive units in the country.

Both BYU and Kansas can find themselves in deep postseason runs in just a few months, and soon enough, both Dybantsa and Peterson will be fixtures in NBA households. At one of the most famous venues in the sport, the two square off in a critical Big 12 matchup.

The Sporting News is tracking live scoring updates and highlights for Kansas vs. BYU on Saturday in a battle between Darryn Peterson and AJ Dybantsa. Follow for complete results from the 2026 college basketball game. 

STREAM: Watch Kansas vs. BYU live with the ESPN App

Kansas vs. BYU basketball score

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Darryn Peterson stats today

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This section will be updated during breaks of BYU vs. Kansas.

AJ Dybantsa stats today

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This section will be updated during breaks of BYU vs. Kansas.

Kansas vs. BYU live updates, highlights from 2026 college basketball game

1:29 p.m.: The last time these two stars played in high school, they staged an instant classic that many talent evaluators consider one of the greatest individual duels in prep history.

Competing at the Grind Session in Atlanta, Peterson exploded for a school-record 58 points and drilled a game-winning three-pointer with just one second remaining to secure an 88–86 victory for Prolific Prep.

Not to be outdone, AJ Dybantsa countered with a staggering 49-point performance of his own, marking the second time in a year that Peterson managed to outduel Dybantsa in a head-to-head matchup.

1:28 p.m.: Peterson has been equally dominant but slightly more limited, averaging 21.6 points and 4.6 rebounds across just 10 games due to persistent hamstring and ankle injuries.

Despite the missed time, he has remained incredibly efficient, shooting 42% from three-point range and drawing comparisons to elite NBA scorers for his polished perimeter game

1:27 p.m.: Dybantsa enters today’s matchup as the nation's second-leading scorer, averaging 23.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 3.6 assists while leading BYU to a 17–3 start.

His season reached a historic peak last weekend when he erupted for 43 points against Utah, breaking Danny Ainge’s long-standing BYU freshman single-game scoring record and solidifying his status as a frontrunner for the No. 1 overall pick.

1:09 p.m.: The college basketball world turns its attention to Allen Fieldhouse today as No. 14 Kansas hosts No. 13 BYU in a high-stakes clash headlined by the first collegiate meeting between freshman stars Darryn Peterson and AJ Dybantsa.

Widely projected as the top two picks in the 2026 NBA Draft, the duo arrives in Lawrence after a legendary high school rivalry that saw Peterson score 58 points and Dybantsa 49 in their final prep encounter.

With ESPN’s "College GameDa"y on-site and dozens of NBA scouts in attendance, this matchup serves as a critical showcase for two "generational talents" vying for the number one overall selection.

This section will be updated closer to tipoff on Jan. 31, 2026.

Where to watch Kansas vs. BYU basketball

Kansas vs. BYU start time

• Date: Saturday, Jan. 31
• Time: 4:30 p.m. ET

The ranked matchup between No. 13 BYU and No. 24 Kansas will tip off at 4:30 ET on Saturday, Jan. 31.

The teams meet at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kansas.

What channel is Kansas vs. BYU on?

• TV: ESPN
• Live stream: ESPN App

The Cougars and Jayhawks can be found nationally on ESPN on Saturday afternoon. ESPN's "College Gameday" will be on site, with Rece Davis joined by Jay Williams, Jay Bilas, Seth Greenberg, and Andraya Carter. For the game, Dan Shulman will be on play-by-play with Jay Bilas on color.

Fans looking to stream the game can on the ESPN App.

BYU basketball schedule 2025-26

Here are the Cougars' next five games:

Kansas basketball schedule 2025-26