Player of the Week
Darryn Peterson, Kansas
Peterson continues to strengthen his case as the top prospect in the upcoming NBA Draft, leading Kansas to two important victories last week with poise and efficiency. The Jayhawks opened with an impressive road win over Colorado before following it up with a home victory against BYU. In the highly anticipated matchup against AJ Dybantsa, widely viewed as a head-to-head showcase between two potential top picks, Peterson clearly established himself as the most impactful player on the floor.
Despite missing much of the second half against BYU due to lingering lower-leg issues that have limited him to roughly half of Kansas’ games this season, Peterson was dominant while on the floor, finishing with 18 points on just eight shot attempts in 20 minutes. He also delivered in key moments earlier in the week, knocking down two clutch three-pointers against Texas A&M, helping ease concerns surrounding his availability while reinforcing his ability to dictate outcomes when healthy. His efficiency, composure, and feel for big moments continue to separate him as Kansas gains momentum in conference play.
Freshman of the Week
Brayden Burries, Arizona
Burries turned in a statement week by sweeping the Big 12 honors, earning both Player of the Week and Freshman of the Week recognition. Over two games, he averaged 23 points, six rebounds, and four assists while shooting 54.5 percent from the field and 50 percent from three, continuing to fuel Arizona’s undefeated run.
His signature performance came in a thrilling three-point road win at then-No. 13 BYU, where Burries was the best player on the floor despite sharing the stage with multiple future first-round picks. He finished with a game-high 29 points, five rebounds, and four assists, shooting 53.8 percent from the floor and an elite 66.7 percent from beyond the arc. Burries’ poise, shot-making, and all-around impact continue to highlight the maturity of Arizona’s young core.
Who’s Hot
Arizona Wildcats
Arizona remains the No. 1 team in the country, unbeaten as February begins. Last week, the Wildcats secured a 13-point road win over Arizona State and a narrow three-point victory against BYU. While Arizona has controlled most opponents with consistency and depth, the coming weeks present their toughest stretch of the season. Six of their final eight games include matchups against Kansas (twice), Texas Tech, BYU again, Houston, and Iowa State, a stretch that will test both their depth and composure.
Darryn Peterson, Kansas
Kansas’ resurgence has coincided with Peterson’s return to form. His presence has stabilized the Jayhawks offensively and elevated their ceiling, particularly in high-leverage matchups. With Peterson setting the tone early in games, Kansas looks increasingly capable of making a sustained push in conference play.
Who’s Not
Kansas State Wildcats
Kansas State’s struggles have only deepened. After a promising 5–0 start earlier in the season, the Wildcats have now dropped eight of their last nine games, including two losses last week capped by a 34-point home defeat to Iowa State on February 1. Picked ninth in the Big 12 preseason, Kansas State currently sits two games below .500 and has yet to find stability on either end of the floor.
Joseph Tugler, Houston
Tugler entered the season as a preseason All-Big 12 selection after anchoring Houston’s runner-up finish last year, but his impact has been inconsistent. Despite Houston winning both games last week, Tugler averaged just 3.5 points and 2.5 rebounds across those contests. He was held scoreless in a nine-point win over TCU and was limited to only 10 minutes due to foul trouble. While his defensive presence remains valuable, Houston will need more consistent two-way contributions as conference play intensifies.
Top Five Big 12 Shooting Guards
1. Brayden Burries, SG/PG Arizona
Originally recruited as a shooting guard, Burries has thrived as a versatile perimeter scorer and primary offensive option. He leads Arizona with 15.3 points per game while shooting 50.2 percent from the floor. His recent road performance at BYU further solidified his status as a projected lottery pick.
2. Richie Saunders, BYU
Saunders is enjoying a breakout senior season, averaging 19.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.1 assists while shooting over 50 percent from the field. His 33-point, 10-rebound performance against Kansas was one of the most complete outings by any guard in the conference this season.
3. Emanuel Sharp, Houston
Sharp has been a steady presence for the Cougars, averaging 16.3 points per game while shooting nearly 37 percent from three. He poured in 23 points against TCU last week before fouling out, continuing to shoulder a major offensive load for Houston.
4. Cameron Carr, Baylor
Carr has emerged as Baylor’s primary scoring option, averaging 19.4 points per game on 52.1 percent shooting and 40 percent from three. His 16-point, 12-rebound performance against West Virginia helped snap a four-game losing streak.
5. Anthony Roy, Oklahoma State
Roy has been the engine behind Oklahoma State’s offensive success, averaging 17.5 points per game while shooting 44.4 percent from deep. He scored a game-high 26 points against Utah last week to help the Cowboys end a two-game skid.