The Battle to be Selected First: The Most Anticipated Matchup in College Basketball in 20 Years
The storyline driving college basketball this season has centered on one question: which of these elite freshmen is most deserving of the first selection in the 2026 NBA Draft. The debate has revolved around three generational talents: Darryn Peterson at Kansas, AJ Dybantsa at BYU, and Cam Boozer at Duke. Monday night’s showdown in the Allen Fieldhouse brings two of them together again, and the anticipation has fans across the country desperate to witness it in person. Peterson and Dybantsa have been battling for the top spot in their class for years, and their last meeting became an instant classic. Peterson erupted for 58 points in a win, while Dybantsa countered with 49 of his own. Matchups like this belong in the same conversation as Kevin Durant vs Michael Beasley, Jabari Parker vs Andrew Wiggins, and Paolo Banchero vs Chet Holmgren. This is the kind of game that defines eras.
For AJ Dybantsa and BYU, this matchup against Kansas is another stop on a brutal schedule, but it also presents the perfect opportunity to deliver a statement win. The Cougars have only won once in Allen Fieldhouse, and doing it again would send shockwaves through the national landscape. Dybantsa will need his supporting cast to rise to the moment. Richie Saunders has been inconsistent from deep, and BYU cannot afford empty possessions in this environment. Rob Wright, Keba Keita, and Dawson Baker must provide steady production on both ends. The Cougars must shoot the ball well to stay within striking distance, and they cannot repeat the struggles from their recent loss to Arizona, where Dybantsa went one for eight from three, and Wright shot three for 16. BYU nearly pulled off a historic comeback in that game, but late missed free throws proved costly. Against Kansas, turnovers and composure will be everything. The Allen Fieldhouse crowd can overwhelm even veteran teams, and BYU must avoid letting the moment snowball. Defensively, they have to limit Peterson’s drives and keep Flory Bidunga from dominating the interior.
Kansas enters with its own set of priorities. The Jayhawks need to control the tempo and keep Dybantsa off rhythm from the opening tip. They also get Darryn Peterson back from the ankle injury he suffered against Colorado. He will need to adjust to game speed again, but Kansas has not struggled to find offense in his absence. Melvin Council has been outstanding, stepping into the lead scoring role and thriving. Tre White, Bryson Tiller, and Elmarko Jackson have all elevated their play during this stretch, giving Kansas a balanced and confident rotation. Bill Self will have his team ready for the moment, and history backs that up. In top-15 matchups at Allen Fieldhouse under Self, Kansas owns 32 wins and seven losses. In Big 12 home games, he holds a staggering 175–15 record. The Jayhawks understand the stakes, and their core of Peterson, White, Council, and Bidunga will set the tone.
This game has all the ingredients of a heavyweight battle. Two elite freshmen. Two top programs. A historic venue. And a national audience ready to dissect every possession. My prediction is 81–73 Kansas. Peterson returns fully healthy, and this matchup becomes the night he reminds everyone why he is the clear number one pick. His presence changes the entire dynamic of the game, and Kansas feeds off that energy. In a season defined by star power, this becomes the moment that separates Peterson from the rest of the field.
