UCLA’s Love, K-State’s Beasley Shine

Saturday, Nov. 10, 2007 | 9:54 a.m.

Two of the nation's top freshmen made their college debuts Friday night. Kevin Love had a fine start to his career at UCLA, getting 22 points and 13 rebounds in the second-ranked Bruins' 69-48 victory over Portland State.

Michael Beasley burst on to the college scene unlike many ever have before, finishing with 32 points and a Big 12 Conference-record 24 rebounds in No. 25 Kansas State's 94-63 victory over Sacramento State.

"As far as (Beasley) jumping into the record books, I figured it was going to happen pretty soon," Wildcats guard Blake Young said. "Mike is excellent on rebounding. That's what he does. He's out there just snatching up everything that comes off the rim."

The conference record for rebounds in a game was 23 set by Nick Collison of Kansas against Texas on Jan. 27, 2003, and matched by one of last season's star freshmen, Kevin Durant of Texas against Texas Tech on Jan. 31.

Durant's and Beasley's names are going to be said a lot together this season.

"I'm not into comparing people," said Kansas State's Frank Martin, who made his debut as a college head coach. "I think everyone's an individual, but the obvious comparison is with Kevin Durant because Kevin Durant was such a great player. If Kevin Durant was a freshman this year and Mike was a freshman last year, everybody would be trying to figure out if Kevin Durant can play up to Michael Beasley's standards.

"Mike's a heck of a player."

It was the second 30-point, 20-rebound game in Kansas State history. Bob Boozer had 36 points and 23 rebounds in 1957.

In other games involving Top 25 teams on Friday, it was: No. 4 Kansas 107, Louisiana-Monroe 78; No. 7 Tennessee 80, Temple 63; No. 10 Washington State 68, Eastern Washington 41; No. 13 Duke 121, North Carolina Central 56; No. 16 Texas A&M 73, McNeese State 50; No. 19 Arkansas 67, Wofford 45; No. 22 Pittsburgh 103, Houston Baptist 62; and No. 23 Stanford 111, Harvard 56.

Young had 22 points and Jacob Pullen added 18 points and five assists for the Wildcats (1-0), who are ranked in the preseason poll for the first time since 1972.

Kansas State was without three of its key returning players. Redshirt freshman Bill Walker and seniors David Hoskins and Clent Stewart all did not play because of injuries.

Loren Leath had 23 points for the Hornets (0-1).

"He's a pro," Sacramento State coach Jerome Jenkins said of Beasley. "They'll be lucky to have him after this year. That's all I can say about him."

Beasley and the other Kansas State freshmen are not allowed to speak with the media.

No. 2 UCLA 69, Portland St. 48

Love was out to impress from the opening tip. The 6-foot-10, 270-pounder freshman scored on consecutive dunks then whipped an outlet pass the length of the court to Russell Westbrook, who scored to give the Bruins an 18-2 lead. He scored seven straight points in the second half, including five free throws, for UCLA's largest lead, 51-27.

Josh Shipp added 18 points for the Bruins (1-0), who are coming off consecutive Final Four appearances.

Jeremiah Dominguez had 11 points for the Vikings (0-1), who fell to 4-37 against Pac-10 teams.

No. 4 Kansas, 107, Louisiana-Monroe 78

Sherron Collins scored 22 points and the Jayhawks (1-0) used a 17-2 run early in the second half to take control on the way to winning their 35th consecutive home opener. Darnell Jackson had a career-high 21 points for Kansas.

Tony Hooper had 19 points for the Warhawks (0-1).

No. 7 Tennessee 80, Temple 63

JuJuan Smith scored 15 points and Ramar Smith added 14 for the Volunteers (1-0), who have won nine straight openers overall and are 40-2 in home openers since 1965. Preseason All-America Chris Lofton had 10 points for Tennessee, eight from the free-throw line.

Dionte Christmas had 12 points for the Owls (0-1), who shot 39 percent from the field.

No. 10 Washington St. 68, E. Washington 41

Aron Baynes scored 15 points for the Cougars (1-0) in the season opener before a sellout crowd of almost 12,000. Washington State, ranked in the preseason Top 25 for the first time in its history, led 31-19 at halftime, then outscored the Eagles 14-2 in the first 6 minutes of the second half.

Milan Stanojevic led Eastern Washington (0-1) with 11 points.

No. 13 Duke 121, N.C. Central 56

Taylor King scored 20 points while fellow freshman Kyle Singler added 15 to lead the Blue Devils (1-0) to their eighth straight season-opening victory. Nolan Smith, a third freshman, added 16 points for the Blue Devils, who improved to 26-2 in openers under Hall of Fame coach Mike Krzyzewski.

Bryan Ayala scored 18 points for the Eagles (0-1), who were playing their first game as a Division I independent.

No. 16 Texas A&M 73, McNeese St. 50

Josh Carter had 14 points and freshman DeAndre Jordan had 12 as the Aggies (1-0) won in Mark Turgeon's first game as Texas A&M's coach.

Jarvis Bradley had 12 points for McNeese State (0-1).

No. 19 Arkansas 67, Wofford 45

Patrick Beverley had 15 points and Darian Townes added 14 as the Razorbacks (1-0) won in John Pelphrey's first game as Arkansas' coach. The Razorbacks have won 13 straight season openers and 34 straight home openers.

Drew Gibson led Wofford (0-1) with 12 points.

No. 22 Pittsburgh 103, Houston Baptist 62

Sam Young had 22 points and nine rebounds and freshman DeJuan Blair had 20 points, 14 rebounds and four steals for the Panthers (1-0). Blair finished one point off Pitt's freshman debut record of 21 set by Ricardo Greer in 1997. Pitt coach Jamie Dixon improved to 19-0 in November.

Baron Sauls had 13 points for the Huskies (1-2).

No. 23 Stanford 111, Harvard 56

Drew Shiller scored 18 points and Anthony Goods added 17 points for Stanford (1-0), which improved to 9-0 against the Crimson all-time. The Cardinal last reached the century mark on Dec. 28, 2003, in a 100-59 victory over Harvard.

Evan Harris scored 14 points for Harvard (0-1) in Tommy Amaker's first game as coach of the Crimson.