7:10 PM ET, March 20, 2008, Qwest Center Omaha, Omaha, NE
The number 11 seed in the Midwest Region Kansas State upset the # 6 seeded USC in the first round of the NCAA Tournament 80-67. The game was filled with hype coming in because of the matchup of the two opposing freshman O.J. Mayo for USC arguably the most talked about freshman in the country coming into the year and Michael Beasley for Kansas State who is a strong contender for National Player of the Year and won Big 12 Player of the Year.
Michael Beasley got another double in this game scoring a team high 23 points and adding 11 rebounds. O.J. Mayo also led the Trojans with 20 points, however it was Kansas State's young supporting cast that was the difference in the game. In support of Beasley Kansas State freshman forward Bill Walker added 22 points, freshmand guard Jacob Pullen had 11 points, and freshmand forward Ron Anderson scored 10 points.
For Kansas State the win is there first during March Madness since 1998 a team led by Lon Kruger when Beasley, Pullen, and Anderson was not even born. Beasley only played 11 minutes in the first half due to early foul trouble, Beasley said afterwords "I just kept my composure, stayed in the zone and it worked out,". In addition to the balanced scoring of Kansas State there dominance on the boards also played a huge part in the win as they out-rebounded USC 40 to 27.
#11 seeded Kansas State (20-11) will play the # 3 seed Wisconsin(29-4) in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday. Wisconsin was bothered during the first half of there first round game by the speedy and smaller Cal State Fullerton Titans. One aspect to watch for in the match between Kansas State and Wisconsin is if Michael Beasley can advoid foul trouble as Wisconsin makes more free throws than its opponents attempt.
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