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Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Beasley dazzles in what may be his final game at Bramlage
By DOUG TUCKER
AP Sports Writer
MANHATTAN (AP) -- Throughout what may or may not have been Michael Beasley's final game in Bramlage Coliseum, fans yelled, ''One more year, Michael,'' and ''Please don't leave, Michael.''
''Who couldn't hear it?'' the star freshman said smiling. ''I heard it, but I don't pay attention to it.''
Beasley, the likely overall No. 1 pick should he decide to go into the NBA draft after one year of college ball, had 33 points in a 78-72 victory over Colorado on Tuesday night in the Wildcats' final home game.
He broke the school's season scoring record and he had 14 rebounds to extend his NCAA freshman record with his 26th double-double.
It will go down as the finest season any Kansas State player has ever had.
But will it be his only season in a Wildcats uniform?
''I'm here at Kansas State. I'm not looking to the future,'' he said. ''I'm not trying to place myself on another team before our season's over. I'll sit down with Coach after the season's over and discuss everything that's going on, share our thoughts on that and come up with a decision.''
The 6-foot-10 Beasley seems to be reaching his highest levels as things wind down. His fourth straight 30-point game allowed him to break Mitch Richmond's 20-year-old school record for points in a season (768).
But will it be his only season in a Wildcats uniform?
''People been wondering about it for six months now. I'm pretty used to the question popping up,'' Beasley said. ''I'm just trying to stay focused, I'm trying to be here for my team. I don't want to let them down.''
Fellow freshman Bill Walker broke out of a two-game shooting slump with 25 points for the Wildcats (19-10, 9-6), who snapped a four-game losing streak and may have assured themselves of their first NCAA tournament bid in 12 seasons.
Marcus Hall had 22 points for Colorado (11-18, 3-12) and Richard Roby, held to one point on 0-for-5 shooting in the first half, finished with 15.
With Beasley scoring 20 points on his typically impressive variety of moves and shots, Kansas State led 41-27 at halftime. But the Wildcats committed turnovers on five of their first seven possessions in the second half and Roby and Hall led the Buffaloes' comeback.
Hall's fastbreak basket got it to 56-52. Then Beasley, seeming to hang in the air, popped in a short jumper and a moment later completed a three-point play to lead an 8-0 run.
''As I told my team, I drew a line on the board, and I put a 'W' on top and an 'L' on the bottom, and we're just kind of hovering right below that line,'' Colorado coach Jeff Bzdelik said. ''So what makes the difference? A couple more block-offs, an extra pass here and there, taking a charge, blocking people out, an extra free throw or two, a little bit better closeout. All those things add up.''
Colorado's Cory Higgins drilled a 3-pointer that made it 76-72 in the final seconds. Then Beasley stepped to the line and made two free throws for the final margin.
Beasley, who was 8-of-10 from the line and 1-of-3 from behind the 3-point arc, got the season scoring record on a goal tending call.
Bzedelik, who coached in the NBA for 17 years, was impressed with Beasley's potential.
''If his head and his heart remain right, he can be as good as he wants to be,'' he said.
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