Starstruck

Beasley making it difficult for teams to slow him down

Beasley's 40 and 17 against the Tigers this weekend was just another example of his amazing freshman season. All year last year we heard about how Kevin Durant's year would not be duplicated for a long time, if ever. Really? In the non-con all I heard was how Beasley's numbers weren't as impressive because K-State wasn't playing anyone, so I thought we'd look at conference stats only...Durant vs. Beasley...

Durant '07- 28.9 points(1st), 12.5 rebounds(1st), 50.5 FG%(4th), 2.06 steals(2nd, 1.6 blocks(1st)
Beasley '08- 27.7 points(1st), 11.7 rebounds(1st), 53.3 FG%(2nd), 1.9 steals(3rd), 1.1 blocks(10th)

So across the board it looks like Durant is just a little bit better right? Remember this: Durant played on a team that's currently ranked #7 in the country without him and they didn't win the conference last year. No disrespect to Jacob Pullen and Bill Walker, but how much would this year's Texas team be favored by over K-State without Beasley? 15? Yet these Wildcats are 8-2 and control their own destiny in the Big 12 race... I guess what I'm saying is Durant may have a had a slightly better statistical season than Beasley (so far) but Beasley has been much more valuable to his team.

Also consider this, Durant's Horns went 25-10, 12-4 last year with a loss in the Big 12 Finals and a 19 point second round loss to USC...not even a Sweet 16? Michael Beasley has a great opportunity to best him in those areas...and what really matters more?