Darryn Peterson Downplays Criticism of Missing Playing Time on Video After Kansas' Win vs. Houston

Kansas star Darryn Peterson is downplaying the criticisms of his playing time.

Speaking to reporters after Monday's marquee win over Houston, Peterson said, "I don't really pay attention to it anymore" when asked about some of the concerns that came out from a game against Oklahoma State last week.

After Houston head coach Kelvin Sampson described Kansas as one of those teams "you just never know" what you're going to get, Peterson responded by making it known he didn't appreciate that.

In a Feb. 18 win over Oklahoma State, Peterson only played 18 minutes, including three in the second half due to what was described as a recurrence of cramping issues that have plagued him throughout the season.

Kansas head coach Bill Self told reporters after the Oklahoma State game that he "didn't anticipate" Peterson's minutes being so limited, but they are "not unaccustomed" to him being out of the lineup.

Peterson has missed 11 games this season due to cramping, hamstring and ankle injuries. He has played more than 30 minutes in each of the past two games, the first time he has done that since Feb. 2 and 7.

Monday wasn't necessarily the best game of Peterson's season, but he did enough to help the Jayhawks rebound against a top-five opponent after Saturday's 84-68 loss against Cincinnati.

Peterson scored 14 points on 5-of-14 shooting in 30 minutes. It was his third-worst shooting game of the season by field-goal percentage, but his presence and gravity on the offensive end of the court were instrumental for Kansas heading into the stretch run of the season.

Kansas has three games remaining in the regular season, with the next one being the biggest at No. 2 Arizona on Saturday. The Jayhawks won the first meeting between the two at Allen Fieldhouse on Feb. 9, snapping the Wildcats' 23-game winning streak to start the season.