WWW arkcity.net

By DOUG TUCKER
AP Sports Writer

MANHATTAN (AP) -- Frank Martin was so worried the NCAA selection committee might overlook Kansas State, he appealed to an even higher authority.

''I was at church today and I prayed that these kids get the opportunity to play in this tournament,'' said Kansas State's first-year head coach.

While nervously watching the selection show with his team in a Manhattan restaurant a few hours later, Martin saw his prayer answered, and then some.

Not only are the Wildcats the 11th seed in the Midwest Regional, they also get to play their opening games in Omaha, a relatively short drive for fans who have been waiting 20 years -- and counting -- for an NCAA tournament win.

''I'm ecstatic,'' Martin said.

What's more, the first-round draw with Southern Cal on Thursday will match two of college basketball's great freshmen, the Trojans' O.J. Mayo and Kansas State phenom Michael Beasley. It also will bring together Mayo and Kansas State's other freshman standout, Bill Walker, who played high school ball with the USC star in Cincinnati and has been best friends with him ''since we were 4 or 5 years old.''

''We've already talked,'' Walker said. ''He told me he's going to be on his best game.''

Beasley, who has practically rewritten the school record book and ranks as a top contender for national player of the year, was almost as relieved as his coach.

''It was like the weight of the world just came off my shoulders,'' said the 6-foot-10 power forward who has set school records for points and rebounds in his once-in-a-generation season. ''We were all nervous. When they called our names, we all jumped up and hugged each other.

''I would hate to have been Baylor, the last team announced. That's pretty nerve-racking.''

The Wildcats' first NCAA bid in 12 years seemed a lock during a 14-game stretch from Dec. 9 through Feb. 9 when they won 12 games, including a victory that snapped Kansas' 24-year winning streak in Manhattan. But they began to falter late.

They ended the season in a 2-4 funk, beating only Colorado and Iowa State, the worst teams in the Big 12. Then they lost to Texas A&M in the second round of the Big 12 tournament on Friday, and even more doubt crept in.

''I've been disappointed that maybe I haven't done my job well enough down the stretch here because these kids deserve to be in the NCAA tournament,'' Martin said.

''I've been reflecting on everything I have done over the last six or seven weeks to help us deal with the different situations we've had to deal with,'' he said.

The Wildcats have nine first-year players.

''They've never sat around and questioned my decisions, which you know what ... could be very easily done by a bunch of guys for a first-year coach,'' said Martin. ''None of them have ever done that. And for that, all I wanted was to make sure I'd done my job the right way.''

Now Beasley, who led the nation with 12.4 rebounds and was third in the nation with 26.5 points per game, will step onto the biggest stage in college basketball. It also will probably close out a one-year college career, though he insists the decision's not yet made.

''I'm always looking forward to showing up in the big games,'' he said. ''If you're going to bring it, this is the perfect time, just to show everybody that you are the best. I think this is a good time to shine.''

As two of the top high school stars in the nation the past few years, Beasley and Mayo also got to know one another, playing two AAU and one high school game against each other

''Personally, I have never lost to O.J. Mayo,'' Beasley said. ''I'm hoping to keep my little streak going.''

Also adding spice to their trip to Omaha will be the presence of Kansas, the No. 1 seed in the regional. After snapping Kansas' 24-year winning streak in Manhattan, the Wildcats got drilled in the rematch with their archrivals, 88-74.

Lying in front of Beasley was the bracket he filled out while waiting to talk to reporters. It had Kansas State beating Duke for the NCAA championship and included, naturally, a win over the Jayhawks in the Midwest finals.

''That's the one we must have,'' he said with a grin. ''Those guys embarrassed us pretty bad. I'm kinda looking forward to that game.''