Eye On College Basketball Podcast

Episode: ’25 Summer Shootaround: Darryn Peterson will make sure Kansas won’t be a letdown for a third straight season

Date: August 20, 2025
Host: Matt Norlander
Guest: C.J. Moore (The Athletic, Kansas hoops specialist)

Episode Overview

This episode delivers an in-depth look at Bill Self’s Kansas Jayhawks heading into the 2025–26 college basketball season. After two turbulent years of falling short of expectations—including the worst two-year run at Kansas in over 40 years—Matt Norlander brings in seasoned Kansas beat writer C.J. Moore to dissect if and how this season can become a pivotal turning point for the program, focusing on the arrival of elite freshman Darryn Peterson, staff changes, and critical roster shifts.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Bill Self’s Health & Tenure (04:16–07:01)

• Self’s Health Update:
  • C.J. attended Self’s first media availability since his summer heart procedure.
  • Self appeared in good spirits and health; “You wouldn’t have known any different.” (04:16)
  • At 62, Self feels ready to keep coaching—“Said he could coach the team tomorrow if they had a game, and I believe that.” (04:16)
  • “Kansas fans can kind of breathe a sigh of relief when it comes to his health...I think he's gonna be all right.” (04:16)
• How Long Will Self Coach?
  • C.J. estimates 5–6 more years but doubts Self will coach past age 70:
    “I don't think he makes it to 70...I think he does want to retire at some point, and I'd kind of be surprised if he hits 70.” (06:33)
  • Matt opines that some insiders wonder if Self’s retirement could come sooner.

Coaching Staff Changes, Jacques Vaughn’s Role & Succession (08:01–10:10)

• Addition of Jacques Vaughn:
  • Vaughn was hired for hoops acumen, not as a clear "coach-in-waiting":
    “I hired what I thought was the best guy. I don’t have any thoughts of the succession plan.” (08:01 – C.J. quoting Self)
  • Vaughn, a beloved Jayhawk, is excited by the college game's different challenges.
• Staff Overhaul:
  • Tony Bland (previously at Washington, connected to the 2018 FBI investigation but later cleared) is joining the staff.
  • Norm Roberts retired; significant turnover in assistant roles, marking a broader change in Jayhawks’ internal operations.

Recent Performance & Program Status (10:10–14:52)

• Historical Context:

  • The past two seasons: preseason No. 1 rankings but no Sweet 16 appearances, worst two-year stretch (by multiple measures) in modern Kansas history—22–19 record in Big 12 play, and a slew of early tournament exits.
  • “Kansas's bar on an annual basis is higher than anyone in college basketball...by some measures, it was actually Kansas's worst two-year run in essentially 40 plus years.” (10:10)

• What Went Wrong:

  • Roster mismanagement, especially with transfer portal additions not fitting Kansas’s ethos or style.
  • "Obviously they have not made good decisions in the portal…more intentional this year as far as finding guys that fit how they want to play.” (13:17)

• Offense/Defense Issues:

  • Offense outside KenPom Top 50; lack of depth and athleticism; defensive fit problems with prior recruits (e.g., Nick Timberlake, Rylan Griffin).

Roster Breakdown: Departures & Additions

Key Departures (19:58)

• Hunter Dickinson, Zeke Mayo, K.J. Adams, Dejuan Harris, Rylan Griffin, AJ Storr, David Coy.
• Extensive turnover; “Significant change.” (22:08)

Returnees (20:50)

• Flory Bidunga:
  “Locked in as the starting center...one of three givens in the starting lineup.” (20:50)
• Jamari McDowell:
  Redshirted; seen as a developmental “11th guy” who could break into the rotation.
• Elmarko Jackson:
  Former five-star, missed all of last year due to injury. “As far as scholarship guys that have been on the roster, that’s it.” (20:50)

Transfers In (22:45)

• Trey White (Illinois):
  • Versatile, glue-guy likely to start ("close to a lock as a starter").
  • “Has done a good job hitting corner threes this summer...knows how to play.” (22:45)
• Melvin Council Jr. (St. Bonaventure):
  • Dynamic off-the-dribble guard; “Bill thinks he’s one of the big keys this season.” (22:45)
• Jaden Dawson (Loyola Chicago):
  • Streaky shooter, athletic, probably contending to start.

Freshmen & Newcomers (25:45)

• Cole Rosario:
  • Shooter, plays hard, fits Self system—"Kansas fans are getting a guy that's kind of like an Ochai [Agbaji].” (25:45)
• Samis Calderon:
  • Athletic, possible contributor but part of a “crowded” wing corps.
• Bryson Tiller:
  • Offensively skilled, compared to the Morris twins, more of a four than a five.
• Paul (from Democratic Republic of Congo):
  • 7’+ center, 7’8” wingspan, played in high-level French league—“He will play maybe 15 minutes a game...possible for big lineups with Flory.” (29:19)

Darryn Peterson Spotlight (33:21–38:08)

• Recruiting Ranking/Talent:
  • “6465 lead guard, number one player 247 Sports, potential number one [NBA] pick.” (24:42)
• Self’s Assessment:
  • “Most talented recruit he has ever brought into Kansas,” not just empty hype—Self is typically reserved. (31:17)
• Skillset & Impact:
  • “He is a special one...I think what makes him special is he sees the floor incredibly well; he can make all the passes.” (33:21)
  • “He will make everybody else around him look really, really good. I think Flory is going to really benefit from playing with him.” (33:21)
  • “It’s his and Flory’s team.” (33:21)
• Expectations:
  • Peterson combines grace and physicality as a lead guard; “magnetic” on-court appeal.
  • “He’s certainly got a chance to be the best player in the sport.” (35:28)
  • His synergy with Flory Bidunga is seen as the game-changing dynamic for Kansas: “The nucleus is Peterson truly taking command...and Flory making the jump we expect.” (35:28)

Depth, Rotation, and Lineup Battles (29:19–31:17)

• Multiple position battles, especially at guard spot next to Peterson and on the wing.
• “There are 11 guys I think are capable of playing.” (25:45)
• Starting lineup projections: Flory Bidunga, Trey White, Darryn Peterson are locks; Rosario favored for the wing, with Council Jr. and Elmarko Jackson battling for the other backcourt spot.

Schedule Analysis (39:15–42:32)

Non-Conference Highlights

• Major road games: at North Carolina (Nov. 7), at NC State (Dec. 13)
• Neutrals: Duke at Madison Square Garden (Nov. 18, Champions Classic), Missouri in Kansas City (Dec. 7)
• Tournaments: Players Era Classic (Nov. 24–26) – could face Houston, Michigan, or St. John's.
• Home-and-home vs. UConn: Jayhawks host this season (Dec. 2).
• Tough, ambitious schedule praised: “This is why I love Bill Self—two high-major nonconference road games.” (39:35)

Big 12 Outlook

• Two-plays: Arizona, Iowa State, Kansas State.
• “Big 12 schedule is pretty advantageous for them.” (42:32)
• Only one road game (Texas Tech) stands out as especially tough.

Win Projections & National Status (44:08–46:37)

• Preseason AP Ranking: First time outside the Top 10 since 2011–12 (“That team made the title game...but it’s been a minute.” – 16:44)
• Predicted Record: Both Matt and C.J. predict 24–7 heading into the Big 12 tournament, likely a 2 or 3 seed.
• Program Motivations:
  • “Bill is going to be hell bent on reminding the college basketball world who's who and what's what.” (44:08)
• National Perception: Lighter expectations (projected #12–#14 in AP) could ease the pressure; Matt feels this can only help Self and his reconfigured squad.

Big 12 Conference Strength & Bids (48:35–49:49)

• C.J.: League will be improved, likely 8 NCAA bids, probably the third best behind Big Ten and SEC.
  • “I think all the teams that made it last year will make it again, and then you’ll have one more get in, whether that’s West Virginia, K-State, Cincinnati…” (48:35)
• Matt: Agrees, expects 8 bids, expects league-wide improvement and a bounce-back from Kansas.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Bill Self’s Health:
  “If you were under a rock and didn’t realize he had the procedure, you wouldn’t have known any different.” —C.J. (04:16)
• On Transfer Portal Lessons:
  “They did a poor job of building the roster...Now they were more intentional this year in the Portal, as far as finding guys that fit how they wanted to play.” —C.J. (13:17)
• On Darryn Peterson’s Talent:
  “Most prepared, ready to come in and be impactful as a freshman that [Self has] ever had.” —C.J. (33:21) “He will make everybody else around him look really, really good.” —C.J. (33:21) “This is his and Flory’s team.” —C.J. (33:21)
• On Team Motivation:
  “I have to imagine this guy is going to be hell bent on reminding the college basketball world who’s who and what’s what.” —Matt (44:08)

Media/Pickup Hoops Sidebar (51:10)

• Fun banter about the infamous media pickup basketball hierarchy, led by C.J. Moore—a tradition among hoops writers at NCAA events.

Takeaways for Listeners

• Kansas has hit the reset button after disastrous outcomes by their standards.
• The arrival of Darryn Peterson (possibly Bill Self’s most ready freshman talent ever) alongside sophomore big Flory Bidunga gives hope for a rapid bounce-back season.
• Roster and staff changes suggest lessons learned from recent missteps; deeper, more athletic, and better-fitting pieces should restore KU's national profile.
• Both guests are confident in a top-3 Big 12 finish and high NCAA seeding, and point toward defensive improvement and a more classic Bill Self team style.
• The pressure’s off in a way, but expectations remain high: “At Kansas, the bar is higher than anyone else.”

Timestamps of Key Segments

• Bill Self Health & Tenure: 04:16–07:01
• Coaching Staff & Vaughn Succession: 08:01–10:10
• Kansas’ Recent Struggles, Roster Commentary: 10:10–14:52
• Roster Departures & Returnees: 19:58–22:45
• Incoming Transfers: 22:45–24:42
• Freshman/Newcomer Overview: 25:45–31:17
• Darryn Peterson Deep Dive: 33:21–38:08
• Schedule Breakdown: 39:15–42:32
• Win Projections: 44:08–46:37
• Big 12 Strength/Bids: 48:35–49:49
• Media Pickup Hoops Banter: 51:10–52:15

Eye On College Basketball continues to provide detailed, fun, and well-reported discussion on the sport’s major stories and personalities, making this episode essential listening for Kansas fans and college hoops junkies alike.