Dybantsa vs. Peterson: Potential No. 1 picks clash in BYU, Kansas tilt

Two of the headlining acts from this year's star-studded freshman class will go head-to-head Saturday afternoon at Allen Fieldhouse.

BYU's AJ Dybantsa and Kansas' Darryn Peterson are the leading candidates to go No. 1 overall in this year's NBA draft and can strengthen their case in front of countless scouts.

Their last meeting on the AAU circuit nearly a year ago was one for the ages. Dybantsa dropped 49 points with Utah Prep, yet it wasn't enough. Peterson answered with a spectacular 58 points for Prolific Prep, capping the performance with a game-winning three in the final seconds.

What do they have in store this time around?

Here's a closer look at Dybantsa and Peterson ahead of their next showdown.

AJ Dybantsa, BYU

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Dybantsa has been the engine to BYU's 17-3 start. The 6-foot-9 forward is second in the nation in scoring and has hit the 20-point mark in 12 of his past 13 appearances. Last weekend, he erupted for 43 points against Utah, breaking Danny Ainge's single-game scoring record by a BYU freshman.

"He is a generational talent, and he showed what he's capable of tonight," Utes head coach Alex Jensen said of Dybantsa postgame, according to John Coon of The Associated Press. "There's no telling how good he can get."

One of Dybantsa's greatest offensive strengths is getting to the charity stripe. Averaging nearly nine free throws per game, the Massachusetts native ranks sixth in the NCAA in total free-throw attempts (172). He does a great job going into the body of defenders when driving to the rim and has the strength to finish through contact. Dybantsa also smartly uses pump fakes to capitalize on overeager defenders.

However, Dybantsa's foul baiting can be detrimental at times. Against No. 1 Arizona and No. 11 Texas Tech, he shot just 29.3% from the field. The Wildcats' frontcourt stonewalled multiple Dybantsa driving attempts, forcing him into difficult shots when defenders didn't bite on his pump fakes. Red Raiders forward Donovan Atwell showed the same discipline as Dybantsa's primary defender, limiting the McDonald's All-American to one free throw and a season-low 13 points.

But stopping Dybantsa is easier said than done, as he has other ways to score beyond getting to the charity stripe. His long strides and crafty footwork allow him to finish around defenders in the paint. He's also been an efficient mid-range scorer, knocking down 48.9% of his attempts, per Hoop-Explorer.com. Dybantsa routinely hits contested mid-post fadeaways and pull-up jumpers from the baseline or elbow.

Dybantsa's 3-point volume has increased as the season has progressed, but his outside shot needs work. Though he can side-step into a three and drain catch-and-shoot triples, consistency from deep still eludes him. If Dybantsa develops into a reliable perimeter threat, it'll open up opportunities to attack closeouts and explode to the rim, as he did against Utah.

The Cougars star's scoring abilities inevitably draw double teams, but Dybantsa has shown he can find teammates off the drive-and-kick and make the right read when swarmed in the high post. He ranks second on BYU in assist percentage (22%), behind only starting point guard Robert Wright III. While Dybantsa isn't a selfish player by any means, he's prone to tunnel vision from time to time. Defensively, his near 7-foot wingspan and elite athleticism suggest he has the potential to do much more.

Darryn Peterson, Kansas

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There's no beating around the bush when it comes to Peterson's health. A hamstring injury has largely limited him to 10 appearances in a Jayhawks uniform. He's dealt with cramping issues since the preseason and hasn't played heavy minutes when available, as Kansas attempts to manage his ailments. Peterson missed the school's last contest after spraining his ankle Jan. 20 against Colorado, though head coach Bill Self expects him to suit up versus BYU. Peterson's lack of durability might scare teams with a high draft pick, but his undeniable talent explains why Self called him the best player he's recruited in his 23 years at the helm.

Peterson is the most skillful perimeter scorer in this year's class. The 6-foot-5 guard has NBA range from beyond the arc and drains threes in various ways. Self frequently deploys Peterson off the ball, using flare screens and pindowns to free him up for long-distance attempts. The Jayhawks star is consistently shot-ready when curling off a screen or receiving the ball in dribble-handoffs, and he instinctively relocates to open spots behind the 3-point line whenever teammates slash to the rim.

The Ohio native is equally efficient inside the arc, converting 70% of his shots at the basket and 46.9% of his mid-range attempts, per Hoop-Explorer.com. Peterson often gets all the way to the rim with his burst off the bounce and possesses the body control to finish above or around defenders. His soft touch is evident on floaters when penetrating the paint, and he can create his own shot with step-backs at the elbow or baseline to generate separation. Peterson averages 1.16 points per possession on rim attacks and 1.07 points per possession on mid-range shots, placing him in the 97th and 96th percentiles, respectively.

Peterson has shown promise running the pick-and-roll, even in limited reps. The Kansas freshman is quick to exploit defensive lapses, confidently pulling up for jumpers on high ball screens when a defender gives him enough space. He's also developed chemistry with sophomore forward Flory Bidunga, often connecting with him on rolls to the basket. As a senior in high school, Peterson made significant strides as a playmaker, tallying 7.4 assists per contest. Although the Jayhawks haven't relied on Peterson's passing as much, he's flashed his court vision on hit-ahead passes in transition, dumpoffs, and drive-and-kicks.

Peterson's offensive arsenal has rightfully taken center stage. But there's a whole lot to like about his play on the opposite end of the floor. He's got a knack for picking the pockets of big men once they completely turn their backs on him, and he uses his 6-foot-10 wingspan to get his hands in passing lanes. When beaten off the bounce, Peterson has the recovery speed to contest or block shots. The preseason All-Big 12 selection plays with physicality when switched onto bigger players in the post and displays strong awareness as a help defender. Peterson sits second on Kansas in Bayesian Performance Rating (7.72), which measures a player's overall value to their team when they're on the floor, according to EvanMiya.com.