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

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Kansas vs. BYU live score, updates, highlights from AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson freshman showdown originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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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

COLLEGE HOOPS HQ: Live NCAA scores | Updated NCAA standings | Full NCAA schedule

Darryn Peterson stats today

  • Minutes: 20
  • Points: 18
  • Rebounds: 3
  • Assists: 1
  • Shots/Attempts: 6/8
  • Three Point Percentage: 60% (3/6)
  • Steals: 3
  • Blocks: 0
  • Turnovers: 0

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

AJ Dybantsa stats today

  • Minutes: 33
  • Points: 17
  • Rebounds: 1
  • Assists: 1
  • Shots/Attempts: 6/11
  • Three Point Percentage: 66% (2/3)
  • Steals: 0
  • Blocks: 0
  • Turnovers: 2

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

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

6:35 p.m.: With 1:11 left, it’s a four point game in Lawrence. Peterson is still on the bench and hasn’t been in the game since early in the second half.

But, in his absence, players like Council have stepped up. He hits a tough shot here, and Kansas leads by six with 52 seconds remaining.

6:31 p.m.: It’s a six point game, with Dybantsa driving into Bidunga and laying it up with his left hand. While it’s been an inconsistent day, Dybantsa is up to 17.

6:30 p.m.: With 2:18 p.m., momentum is building for the Cougars. 

It’s an eight point game down the stretch.

Saunders having career game BYU deficit down to single digits

6:23 p.m.: It’s become the Richie Saunders show in Lawrence.

Now, he hits his sixth three of the game and is up to a career-high 33 points. BYU is now down nine with 4:18 remaining.

6:21 p.m.: With BYU down only 12, Dybantsa has re-entered the game.

A foul on Melvin Council brings Saunders to the line, but he misses the front end of the free throw. It’s 80-68 with five minutes remaining.

6:19 p.m.: Saunders is up to 30, stealing the show from the two top draft picks.

Peterson has not seen much time in the second half with Kansas leading by a significant margin.

6:14 p.m.: Both teams have gone cold from the field with 6:26 remaining. Kansas leads 78-63, with both Peterson and Dybantsa on the bench.

6:12 p.m.: The one reason BYU is in this game is because of Saunders. He is up to 27 on the day after draining another three, cutting the Kansas lead to 15.

6:11 p.m.: Every time BYU throws a punch, Kansas responds right back.

Now, it’s Flory Bidunga with an and-one and the Jayhawks lead by 18. Peterson is still on the bench, with two personal fouls.

6:02 p.m.: The next possession, Dybantsa hits a mid-range shot. BYU trails by 16.

Then, after a Bryson Tiller miss, Dybantsa uses a turnaround and gets fouled by Tiller. He’ll be heading to the line after the under-12.

6:00 p.m.: Dybantsa is back in the game, immediately drawing a foul.

With “overrated” chants coming from the Kansas crowd, he knocks down both free throws. He’s up to 12 points on the day.

5:55 p.m.: With 13:23 remaining, Kansas leads 64-46.

Both Peterson and Dybantsa are out of the game as it stands.

5:49 p.m.: The Cougars are clawing back and Saunders is at the center of it.

No. 15 hits a three in the corner, and moreover, gets fouled. Coming out of the break, he will go to the line with a chance at a four-point play.

BYU trails 60-45, with a chance to cut the deficit down to 14.

5:48 p.m.: Dybantsa has his first points of the second half. 

He takes a pass from right at the top of the key and hits a catch-and-shoot three. BYU still trails by 16.

5:41 p.m.: The second half is underway in Allen Fieldhouse.

With the Cougars trailing by 20, Dybantsa needs to make an impact on the game early.

Peterson, Kansas lead by 20 at halftime

5:23 p.m.: At halftime in Lawrence, Kansas is dominating BYU, 53-33.

Peterson, the projected No. 1 pick, has looked unstoppable with the ball in his hands. He has 18 points in 17 minutes. On the other side, Dybantsa and the Cougars are struggling. He is up to seven points on the day.

Earlier in the week, the Cougars erased a double-digit deficit against No. 1 Arizona. They are going to have to pull some similar magic again in one of the most hostile environments in the sport.

5:20 p.m.: Dybantsa has his second basket of the game, but it is quickly outdone by Peterson.

The next possession, the superstar dunks over a BYU defender as the arena erupts. He looks healthy and as dangerous as ever.

5:15 p.m.: Kansas cannot miss from three.

The Jayhawks are 8-for-10 from deep as the lead stretches to 21. Kevin Young calls another timeout with 3:22 left in the first half.

5:12 p.m.: Peterson has his third three of the game, stretching the Kansas lead to 18. Robert Wright hits a triple of his own right after.

5:05 p.m.: At the under-eight timeout, Kansas is dominating.

After Peterson’s third steal, Tre White is wide open for a three. Dybantsa has his first points right after on a triple of his own, but at the commercial the Jayhawks lead by 16.

5:02 p.m.: Peterson finally misses a shot as Kansas now leads by 15.

Dybantsa is the only starter in the game not to score yet.

4:59 p.m.: Peterson is in double digits after his second three of the game.

No. 22 is perfect from the field, 4-for-4 and 2-for-2 from three.

Peterson surging, Dybantsa struggling early on

4:57 p.m.: Dybantsa is struggling early, with Kansas’ defense making a huge difference. 

Now, No. 3 travels and it’s a turnover. Kevin Young calls another timeout with his team reeling.

4:55 p.m.: Dybantsa’s first two shots are both misses as Kansas takes a double-digit lead.

Halfway through the first, it’s been all Jayhawks.

4:49 p.m.: With just over 12 minutes left in the first half, Peterson and Dybantsa are back on the floor with Kansas leading 22-14.

4:47 p.m.: Dybantsa is out of the game early on.

Whenever No. 3 has gotten the ball, he’s been swarmed immediately. The second-leading scorer in college basketball still does not have a shot in the game.

The next possession, Peterson heads to the bench, with nine of Kansas’ 17 points.

4:44 p.m.: The early portion of this game has belonged to Peterson.

Here, he tips a pass intended for Dybantsa for his second steal of the game, then hits a shot over Dybantsa. Peterson is up to nine points already.

Peterson, Kansas lead early

4:38 p.m.: Peterson is hot early on. After a Saunders miss, he takes a pass and immediately a three and is up to seven points in four minutes.

We have our first break of the game, with Kansas leading 12-7.

On the other side, Dybantsa is yet to attempt a field goal.

4:37 p.m.: Now, Peterson has his first basket. He takes the ball on the left side of the court, does a dribble-drive and switches to his left hand for the lay.

4:35 p.m.: With the Kansas fans roaring, Peterson tips a ball and is off to the races for a layup. But, he gets fouled by Kennard Davis Jr.

No. 22 hits two free throws and he has his first points of the game.

4:34 p.m.: The first points of the game come from a BYU superstar not named Dybantsa.

Richie Saunders, who shoots nearly 40% from deep, hits the first three of the game. Kansas responds immediately and it’s 3-2.

Then, the next possession, Tre White hits his own triple, and Kansas has its first lead.

4:32 p.m.: The 1,000th game at one of the most historic venues in college basketball is underway.

The Jayhawks win the tipoff and have the first possession.

4:30 p.m.: Allen Fieldhouse is loud and ready. A.J. Dybantsa. Darryn Peterson. It doesn’t get better than this.

Both teams enter the day with identical 5-2 conference records, making this a pivotal “separation game” in the hunt to chase down Arizona for the Big 12 crown.

With Kansas riding a four-game win streak and BYU looking to prove they can win in the most hostile environment in sports, the winner takes a massive leap toward a protected seed in March.

4:24 p.m.: BYU and Kansas have taken the court. We are minutes away from the blockbuster showdown.

4:18 p.m.: It’s almost time.

Will it be the No. 13 Cougars or No. 14 Jayhawks with a massive Big 12 win?

4:02 p.m.: We have two potential No. 1 picks going at it in Lawrence. Here’s what ESPN’s Pete Thamel said on “College GameDay” about Dybantsa and Peterson.

3:45 p.m.: Tipoff is getting closer and closer, with Dybantsa getting warm.

3:10 p.m.: This is the 1,000th game at the famous Kansas venue.

It’s only right that we have a ranked matchup on deck.

2:49 p.m.: The No. 13 BYU Cougars have arrived at Allen Fieldhouse.

The Cougars are coming off a one-point loss to No. 1 Arizona.

2:20 p.m.: There might not be a harder place to play in than Allen Fieldhouse.

In the Bill Self era, Kansas is practically unbeatable, especially against ranked opponents.

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 61 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?

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:

DateOpponentTime (ET)
Wed., Feb. 4at Oklahoma State9:00 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 7Houston9:30 p.m.
Tue., Feb. 10at Baylor7:00 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 14Colorado3:00 p.m.
Wed., Feb 18at Arizona9:00 p.m. 

Kansas basketball schedule 2025-26

DateOpponentTime (ET)
Mon., Feb. 2at Texas Tech9:00 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 7Utah2:30 p.m.
Mon., Feb. 9Arizona9:00 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 14at Iowa State1:00 p.m.
Wed., Feb 18at Oklahoma State9:00 p.m. 

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