K-State could ride a long way with Beasley
By HOWARD RICHMAN
The Kansas City Star
Whether Michael Beasley takes Kansas State for a long NCAA Tournament ride remains to be seen. But Carl Nicks knows how it feels to be along for one.
As a teammate of the legendary Larry Bird at Indiana State, Nicks experienced what it is like to play for an NCAA basketball crown. Although the Magic Johnson-led Michigan State Spartans prevented the Sycamores from winning it all in 1979, Nicks enjoyed his time Bird watching.
“Everything he said he was going to do, he did,” Nicks said. “That was very contagious for the rest of the guys. I don’t know Michael Beasley personally, but I would guess the other players don’t mind that he took the lead and went with it. I think they accept the fact he’s the man. The man can take you a long way.”
Bird proved how far a superstar can take you. Beasley certainly would welcome the chance, even if he doesn’t want to have to carry K-State on his shoulders.
“If I put the team on my shoulders, that means I’ve got to score every point,” Beasley said. “That means we’re not going to win any more games, and I don’t want that. I think we’re great right now. Putting them on my shoulders … that’s disrespecting my team.”
But if K-State makes it to the NCAA Tournament, we very well may learn whether a team is better equipped to make a run during March Madness with one standout (perhaps two in the Wildcats’ case with Bill Walker) or if KU’s talent-rich, no-superstar composition serves you better.
There likely will be an NCAA Tournament atmosphere when K-State and No. 6 KU hook up at 8 tonight at Allen Fieldhouse.
Recent history suggests that it’s possible for teams built around one player, even a freshman, to do great things. Carmelo Anthony took Syracuse all the way in 2003, beating KU for the national title.
Even last season, Ohio State advanced to the championship game before falling to Florida with one-and-done freshmen Greg Oden and Mike Conley Jr. They combined for 45 of the Buckeyes’ 75 points.
Still, former Notre Dame coach Digger Phelps says K-State faces an uphill battle if it makes the NCAA Tournament, even with a well-credentialed talent like Beasley.
“You’ve got to have guards, and their guards are inconsistent,” Phelps said. “That kills you. Teams have started learning how to defend Beasley. He didn’t score (a basket) down the stretch at Baylor. That’s why you have to have the guards or you’re limited from going to the Sweet 16 or the Elite Eight.”
Oklahoma State never got that far five years ago, stopped cold by Syracuse and Anthony in the second round. The Cowboys blew a 17-point first-half lead.
“They had some other players, but he (Anthony) was a truly special player,” said Eddie Sutton, the former Cowboys’ coach who is now at San Francisco. “He was like a Beasley or (former Texas standout) Kevin Durant. He could carry a ball club.”
Sutton sees no reason why K-State would be handicapped in the NCAA Tournament for heavily counting on Beasley.
“You can take a Beasley, and if he’s got a good supporting cast, you can beat anybody in the country,” Sutton said.
But K-State senior guard Blake Young has no desire to lean on Beasley, even Walker for that matter, although they did combine for 75 of the Wildcats’ 86 points one week ago tonight in a loss at Baylor.
“Mike’s talented enough to help carry us to where we want to go,” Young said, “but we can’t rely on him to carry us all the way. We’ve got to do our part, too.”
Nicks noted how Bird was a senior in 1979, and that Beasley still is just a freshman. But he imagines their presence is comparable. And that could give K-State hope if it plays in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1996.
“Larry gave us an attitude that we could win,” Nicks said, “and I think that’s what Michael Beasley brings to them. As a teammate, you follow a guy like that.”
To reach Howard Richman, K-State reporter for The Star, call 816-234-4701 or send e-mail to hrichman@kcstar.com
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