During the closing minutes of Kansas’ game against NC State on Saturday, star player Darryn Peterson, projected as the top pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, left the game twice due to a possible hamstring injury. His coach Bill Self remarked, ‘I haven’t spoken to the doctor yet, but he indicated he needed to come out.’ Despite Peterson’s absence, Melvin Council Jr. stepped up, scoring a career-high 36 points in an overtime victory, with Kansas winning 77-76.

In the Big Ten, the spotlight was on Nebraska, which achieved an 83-80 win over the 13th-ranked Illinois, thanks to a last-second 3-pointer from Jamarques Lawrence. This victory marked Nebraska’s best start in program history at 11-0.

Winner: Kentucky Adjusts Against Indiana

Kentucky secured a needed 72-60 victory over Indiana. After a tough start to the season, the Wildcats triumphed behind Mo Dioubate, who notched 14 points and 12 rebounds, helping to ease their offensive struggles.

Winner: Council’s Big Moment

Melvin Council Jr., who had struggled with his 3-point shooting this season, was vital in Kansas’s success against NC State.

Loser: Divine Intervention for Penn State

Divine Ugochukwu from Michigan State showcased his skills, scoring a personal best of 23 points to rally his team past Penn State with a 76-72 win.

Winner: Gonzaga vs. UCLA

The competitive spirit remained high in the ongoing rivalry as Gonzaga triumphed over UCLA with an 82-72 score.

Winners and Losers Summary

In summary, this weekend had its heroes like Council, Kentucky, and Nebraska while notable teams like Penn State and Florida State faced setbacks.