2008 Woodie Awards
Beasley, Augustin hot topics of Big 12 teleconference
Erich Eisenach
Issue date: 1/29/08 Section: Sports
In a tough conference such as the Big 12 Conference, where experience is supposed to be a difference maker, a phenomenon of sensational underclassman play is sweeping the conference.
The outstanding play by star underclassmen was talked about at the latest Big 12 coaches' teleconference on Monday.
Arguably the hottest player in the Big 12, and possibly the nation, is Kansas State freshman forward Michael Beasley.
Beasley, who has scored 20 points or more in each of the last five games - all of them Wildcats wins - has received high praise from coaches around the league.
One such coach is Kansas Coach Bill Self, whose team is preparing for a widely-hyped showdown against the Wildcats in Manhattan Wednesday night.
What can Kansas do to stop Beasley? Self has ideas.
"What we've got to do is identify spots on the floor that we can't allow any touches … and what he likes to do on spots on the floor," Self said.
However, Self said that as yet, he has no answers for KSU's freshman sensation, nor does he know of whom Beasley reminds him.
"He's got that rare blend of strength and length and athletic ability but he's got such soft hands," Self said. "I don't know who he reminds me of. He may be the first."
Iowa State Coach Greg McDermott put it a little more bluntly after his Cyclones were smashed in Manhattan on Saturday 82-57.
"Michael Beasley is as talented of a college player as I've ever seen. I'm not sure anybody can guard him one-on-one," McDermott said.
One of the top point guards in the Big 12 and of all college basketball is sophomore D.J. Augustin of Texas. The Longhorns play at Texas A&M on Wednesday in a nationally televised game on ESPN2 and then host Baylor on Saturday, and the coaches for both teams know what they are up against.
"I think he's if not the best, one of the best point guards out there. It's hard enough just to guard him, but they do a lot of ball-screens for him," Texas A&M Coach Mark Turgeon said.
Turgeon added that in the final minutes of a game, when Texas needs a basket, Augustin will try to get it for them.
"He puts it on his shoulders whenever they need a big play, and he seems to make it," Turgeon said.
Baylor Coach Scott Drew said Augustin reminds him of a certain star point guard for the NBA's Phoenix Suns.
"I think he's really improved his outside shooting, which has made it easier for him to drive," Drew said. "He has a great feel for the game, does a great job not only getting himself shots, but creating shots for his team. A lot of similarities to Steve Nash as far as feel for the game."
And while Beasley and Augustin are considered the Big 12's premier young talents, others are quietly contributing, such as Oklahoma's Blake Griffin.
After missing the majority of the last two games with a knee injury, Oklahoma's standout sophomore forward returned in Oklahoma's 77-71 win at Baylor Saturday. In that game, Griffin poured in 17 points and 15 rebounds.
Drew said he was unprepared for Griffin's return, and gives Oklahoma credit for getting him ready.
"Obviously, he gave them a huge lift emotionally, and then production wise, his numbers were huge. He made the big plays down the stretch," Drew said. "Credit him for playing well, and obviously their trainer did a good job getting him back."
ERICHEISENACH@DAILYNEBRASKAN.COM
The outstanding play by star underclassmen was talked about at the latest Big 12 coaches' teleconference on Monday.
Arguably the hottest player in the Big 12, and possibly the nation, is Kansas State freshman forward Michael Beasley.
Beasley, who has scored 20 points or more in each of the last five games - all of them Wildcats wins - has received high praise from coaches around the league.
One such coach is Kansas Coach Bill Self, whose team is preparing for a widely-hyped showdown against the Wildcats in Manhattan Wednesday night.
What can Kansas do to stop Beasley? Self has ideas.
"What we've got to do is identify spots on the floor that we can't allow any touches … and what he likes to do on spots on the floor," Self said.
However, Self said that as yet, he has no answers for KSU's freshman sensation, nor does he know of whom Beasley reminds him.
"He's got that rare blend of strength and length and athletic ability but he's got such soft hands," Self said. "I don't know who he reminds me of. He may be the first."
Iowa State Coach Greg McDermott put it a little more bluntly after his Cyclones were smashed in Manhattan on Saturday 82-57.
"Michael Beasley is as talented of a college player as I've ever seen. I'm not sure anybody can guard him one-on-one," McDermott said.
One of the top point guards in the Big 12 and of all college basketball is sophomore D.J. Augustin of Texas. The Longhorns play at Texas A&M on Wednesday in a nationally televised game on ESPN2 and then host Baylor on Saturday, and the coaches for both teams know what they are up against.
"I think he's if not the best, one of the best point guards out there. It's hard enough just to guard him, but they do a lot of ball-screens for him," Texas A&M Coach Mark Turgeon said.
Turgeon added that in the final minutes of a game, when Texas needs a basket, Augustin will try to get it for them.
"He puts it on his shoulders whenever they need a big play, and he seems to make it," Turgeon said.
Baylor Coach Scott Drew said Augustin reminds him of a certain star point guard for the NBA's Phoenix Suns.
"I think he's really improved his outside shooting, which has made it easier for him to drive," Drew said. "He has a great feel for the game, does a great job not only getting himself shots, but creating shots for his team. A lot of similarities to Steve Nash as far as feel for the game."
And while Beasley and Augustin are considered the Big 12's premier young talents, others are quietly contributing, such as Oklahoma's Blake Griffin.
After missing the majority of the last two games with a knee injury, Oklahoma's standout sophomore forward returned in Oklahoma's 77-71 win at Baylor Saturday. In that game, Griffin poured in 17 points and 15 rebounds.
Drew said he was unprepared for Griffin's return, and gives Oklahoma credit for getting him ready.
"Obviously, he gave them a huge lift emotionally, and then production wise, his numbers were huge. He made the big plays down the stretch," Drew said. "Credit him for playing well, and obviously their trainer did a good job getting him back."
ERICHEISENACH@DAILYNEBRASKAN.COM
Be the first to comment on this story