With Miami Heat head coach Pat Riley watching from the second row, Michael Beasley’s Kansas State battled O. J. Mayo’s USC in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
O. J. Mayo and Michael Beasley
Of course, it’s always unfair to think of a team game in terms of an individual battle, and last night’s contest proved that once again. Though both Beasley and Mayo showed why pro scouts are looking forward to the NBA draft, it was Kansas State’s relentless rebounding and the great performances by K-State’s Bill Walker and forward Ron Anderson’s unexpected 10 points and 8 rebounds that made the difference.
What was most interesting was that Beasley and Mayo – just freshmen – played with great poise. Beasley’s two quick fouls put him in jeopardy early on; Mayo was missing. But both of them stayed within themselves showing impressive maturity. Beasley never lost his aggressiveness; Mayo moved the ball to others until his shot returned.
” I was playing two or three guys out there. I wouldn’t say I struggled. I got in foul trouble,” Beasley said. “But I just went about my business, waiting for my time. I was a little excited. It was something you just have to learn from and play.”
Michael Beasley – Photo: Jamie Squire/Getty
Riley must have been besides himself, imagining taking Beasley with the first pick. Beasley’s always around the ball, with an almost-unstoppable energy, and a Rodman-like desire to get the rebound. Add to that enthusiasm some fine ball-handling ability and 3-point college range, and you have a star-in-the making.
In the second half, Beasley got 18 of his game-high 23 as the Wildcats secured an 80-67 victory over the Trojans, their first NCAA victory since 1988.
What I liked most about Mayo was his steadiness, and understanding of the larger game. He’s got great vision and gave the ball up at the right time. He’s got a smooth stroke and terrific range. The three-pointer he canned was well beyond the NBA line and it looked effortless.
But it some ways the brightest light was Bill Walker – and here the connections that marked this game are fascinating – O. J. Mayo’s childhood friend from Huntington W VA and high school compatriot. Bill Walker, who was always a bit of a second thought to Mayo, took this opportunity to showcase his game. When Beasley was hampered by the two fouls, Walker went to work lighting it up with his jump shot and energetic defense. He scored 17 of his 22 in the first half to set the tone for Kansas State.
Childhood friends & former teammates O. J. Mayo and Bill Walker
He and the rest of the team took advantage of the constant double-teaming of Beasley. “They’ve only got five defenders, and when they played the box-and-one and triangle-and-two, they only had three people against the rest of us,” Walker said. “I took advantage — being aggressive and going to the basket.”
“Any win feels good, but this one is kind of special,” Walker admitted. “I know I was going against a guy who didn’t want to lose to me tonight. So that added something to it.”
Walker’s performance came as no surprise to Mayo: “Bill’s a great player,” and he did a great job tonight attacking the basket, hitting the jump shots and getting to the free throw line.”
When it came down to it, K-State wanted the ball and the game more than USC. KSU’s 44-27 rebounding margin and their 21 offensive rebounds determined the game.
If you love basketball, I have a feeling you are going to see a decade of great B-ball coming from both Beasley and Mayo.
