The rigorous Big 12 basketball schedule rolls on for the no. 13 ranked BYU Cougars as they prepare for a tough road matchup against no.14 ranked University of Kansas Jayhawks Saturday at 2:30 p.m.

BYU is looking to get back on track following its recent 86-83 setback to Arizona. Saturday’s test will not be any easier.

Here are a few things to watch ahead of Saturday’s clash:

Caption: Cosmo leading the Cougar Clap. Photo Credit: Rhett Vasseur

Dybantsa vs Darryn

Not often this season has BYU Freshman AJ Dybantsa faced an opponent with an equal amount of star power, but that is exactly what he and the Cougars will face in fellow Freshman phenom Darryn Peterson and the Jayhawks. 

Peterson and Dybantsa are currently slated to go first and second overall in this summer’s upcoming NBA Draft, and Saturday will be their first-ever collegiate matchup. 

Peterson, similar to Dybantsa, is the straw that stirs the drink for Kansas. He averages over 21 points a game on nearly 50 percent shooting.

However, the 6’6” Peterson has been hampered by a quad injury for much of the season, even sitting out the Jayhawks’ last game, an 86-62 victory over rival Kansas State.

Head Coach Bill Self says he does expect Peterson to play Saturday, given the Jayhawks have had a week off for him to rest and heal.

A potential Peterson-Dybantsa matchup is something college basketball fans have been salivating over for months, and it appears to be all things go heading into Saturday.

Hit the open ones

With Peterson and Kansas playing as well as they are, BYU will likely need their best performance of the year to walk out of The Phog with a win. 

In their loss Monday, BYU shot themselves in the foot by missing their easy open looks, particularly Dybantsa and sophomore guard Rob Wright III. Those two young stars will need to shoulder the load Saturday and capitalize on the opportunities they get. 

With Dybantsa likely to draw much of the defensive attention from Kansas, watch for Wright III and Saunders to find themselves open often Saturday.

Caption: Marriott Center is rocking. Photo Credit: Rhett Vasseur

Contributions from Keita & Moo

BYU’s big three have carried the Cougs for much of the year, but second-half appearances Monday from senior big man Keba Keita and sharp-shooting junior Kennard “Moo” Davis gave BYU a much-needed secondary offensive punch.

Davis snapped a 0-18 streak from deep Monday night when he hit five second-half triples, while Keita scored a couple key buckets late as BYU attempted to mount their comeback.

If these two veterans can chip in Saturday, it will take some of the pressure off the shoulders of senior Richie Saunders, along with Wright III and Dybantsa.

Limit the “others” for KU

BYU is not the only one with a plethora of scoring options Saturday. Senior guard Melvin Council Jr. has been electric for the Jayhawks in the absence of Peterson this season. The Cougars will likely see a healthy dose of that Peterson Council backcourt duo Saturday.

Along with their guards, sophomore big man Flory Bidunga has been a force down low for Kansas. Bidunga is averaging 14 points, nine boards and nearly three blocks a game on better than 66 percent shooting.

Bidunga and Keita were recently both named to the Defensive Player of the Year watchlist in college basketball.

Caption: ROC students firing up. Photo Credit: Rhett Vasseur

For BYU to continue their recent success against Kansas Saturday, they will need to limit the production of Peterson’s supporting cast in Bidunga and Council Jr.

Since joining the Big 12, BYU has yet to lose to the Jayhawks, posting a perfect 2-0 mark. Can they continue that success Saturday? Only time will tell.

Saturday’s clash of top-rated freshmen has drawn national attention. So much so that ESPN is sending its flagship pregame show, College Gameday, to broadcast live from Kansas Saturday morning. 

Saturday’s game is set to tip off at 2:30 p.m. and will be broadcast live on ESPN.