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Kansas State’s four freshmen better than USC’s one
By Paul Newberry, AP National Writer
Friday, March 21, 2008 | No comments posted.
OMAHA, Neb. — Michael Beasley vs. O.J. Mayo? Hardly.
The expected showdown between the two super freshmen was a mere sideshow in Kansas State’s upset of USC to start the NCAA tournament. Sure, Beasley had his usual big game for the Wildcats with 23 points and 11 rebounds, while Mayo managed 20 points for the Trojans.
But it was Beasley’s supporting cast — all of them freshmen just like the two stars — who made the difference in the Wildcats’ 80-67 victory at the Midwest Regional on Thursday night.
Call them the new Fab Five.
“Everybody was so focused on the individual matchup,” said Jacob Pullen, one of those super rookies. “We just tried to make it into Kansas State winning the game.”
Bill Walker, a redshirt freshman, scored 22 points for 11th-seeded K-State (21-11). True freshmen Pullen and Ron Anderson also reached double figures. And the old man of the bunch, 21-year-old Dominique Sutton, stuck to Mayo like a nagging cold.
USC’s freshman star signaled his intentions by wearing socks with the NBA logo, but he hardly looked ready for the pros on a 6-for-16 shooting night. Mayo needed a couple of garbage baskets at the end to reach 20, not nearly enough for the sixth-seeded Trojans (21-12).
“The man-to-man defense was aggressive,” said Mayo, who never got in much of a groove after missing his first three shots. “They got us out of the flow of our offense. Maybe certain shots we took were rushed, and give credit to Kansas State. They did a great job on the defensive end.”
Kansas State earned his first NCAA tournament win since 1988 — before Beasley, Pullen and Anderson were even born. The Wildcats advanced to face Wisconsin in Saturday’s second round.
“They’re a team that has a chance to advance and go to the regional final,” USC coach Tim Floyd said. “They’ve got great, great talent.”
Walker carried the load in the early going, scoring 17 in the first half before hitting a dagger of a 3-pointer in the closing minutes. Pullen, a lightning-quick guard, scored 11 points and doled out five assists. Anderson, averaging only 3.1 a game, scored 10 and grabbed eight rebounds to help the Wildcats dominate the boards, 44-27.
Beasley came on strong in the second half.
“I just kept my composure, stayed in the zone and it worked out,” he said, putting off his expected jump to the NBA for at least one more game.
Kansas State, which finished third in the rugged Big 12, slipped all the way to an 11th seed after losing six of its last nine games heading into the NCAAs.
But the Kiddie Corps grew up just in the nick of time.
The expected showdown between the two super freshmen was a mere sideshow in Kansas State’s upset of USC to start the NCAA tournament. Sure, Beasley had his usual big game for the Wildcats with 23 points and 11 rebounds, while Mayo managed 20 points for the Trojans.
But it was Beasley’s supporting cast — all of them freshmen just like the two stars — who made the difference in the Wildcats’ 80-67 victory at the Midwest Regional on Thursday night.
Call them the new Fab Five.
“Everybody was so focused on the individual matchup,” said Jacob Pullen, one of those super rookies. “We just tried to make it into Kansas State winning the game.”
Bill Walker, a redshirt freshman, scored 22 points for 11th-seeded K-State (21-11). True freshmen Pullen and Ron Anderson also reached double figures. And the old man of the bunch, 21-year-old Dominique Sutton, stuck to Mayo like a nagging cold.
USC’s freshman star signaled his intentions by wearing socks with the NBA logo, but he hardly looked ready for the pros on a 6-for-16 shooting night. Mayo needed a couple of garbage baskets at the end to reach 20, not nearly enough for the sixth-seeded Trojans (21-12).
“The man-to-man defense was aggressive,” said Mayo, who never got in much of a groove after missing his first three shots. “They got us out of the flow of our offense. Maybe certain shots we took were rushed, and give credit to Kansas State. They did a great job on the defensive end.”
Kansas State earned his first NCAA tournament win since 1988 — before Beasley, Pullen and Anderson were even born. The Wildcats advanced to face Wisconsin in Saturday’s second round.
“They’re a team that has a chance to advance and go to the regional final,” USC coach Tim Floyd said. “They’ve got great, great talent.”
Walker carried the load in the early going, scoring 17 in the first half before hitting a dagger of a 3-pointer in the closing minutes. Pullen, a lightning-quick guard, scored 11 points and doled out five assists. Anderson, averaging only 3.1 a game, scored 10 and grabbed eight rebounds to help the Wildcats dominate the boards, 44-27.
Beasley came on strong in the second half.
“I just kept my composure, stayed in the zone and it worked out,” he said, putting off his expected jump to the NBA for at least one more game.
Kansas State, which finished third in the rugged Big 12, slipped all the way to an 11th seed after losing six of its last nine games heading into the NCAAs.
But the Kiddie Corps grew up just in the nick of time.
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