The marquee names didn’t live up to the billing in the first half and a supporting actor stole the show.
It was a mistake-prone first half for touted freshmen Michael Beasley and O.J. Mayo. Kansas State forward Bill Walker put on a dazzling display of his talents, however, making six of his eight shots for 17 points.
USC was in danger of making this NCAA Tournament stay a short one, largely because it was letting Kansas State have second chances. The Wildcats pulled down 12 offensive rebounds in the half.
Overall, Kansas State had 20 rebounds to USC’s 11. More menacing for the Trojans, forward Taj Gibson picked up his third foul with 4:12 left in the half.
The Trojans seemed to have the Wildcats right where they wanted them when Beasley picked up his second foul - away from the ball - with just 4:15 elapsed in the game.
That sent the phenom to the bench for long stretches of the half. Beasley scored just five points and pulled down three rebounds in his 11 minutes.
Mayo did not look comfortable at all. He made just one of his five field-goal attempts - a 3-pointer - for seven first-half points.
Mayo also had some costly turnovers. He tried to force a long pass that got picked off by Ron Anderson. He tried to create space near the top of the key and committed an offensive foul on Dominique Sutton.
MARK SAXON/The Register
