Bodog Beat

O.J. Mayo and Michael Beasley are two of the best players in the NCAA (AP Images)

When O.J. Mayo and the USC Trojans take on Michael Beasley and the Kansas State Wildcats in the opening round of the NCAA basketball tournament, it’ll be a battle of future NBA lottery picks.

The NCAA selection committee knew what it was doing by pitting these two stars against each other in the opening round and it’ll likely be one of the most watched games of the opening round.

Although Kansas State comes in as +3.5 underdogs, the power of Beasley should not be underestimated. His first-year averages 26.5 points and 12.4 rebounds were good enough to be named the Big 12 Player of the Year and carried his team to impressive wins over Pitt and Kansas, two of the country’s best basketball schools.

Fact is, Kansas State can beat anybody, anytime. However, the Wildcats were just 4-6 down the stretch and will have their hands full with USC.

Mayo’s stop in SoCal was a bust in many people’s minds, yet the Trojans have knocked off likes of UCLA and Stanford during this campaign. Mayo led the team with 20.8 points and 4.6 rebounds and his performance is key to any success they may have in the tournament.

There may be no bigger wildcard in the Big Dance than the Trojans and if they can get past Beasley and generate some momentum, USC could find itself back in the Sweet 16 for the second season in a row.

For all NCAA odds visit the Bodog sportsbook.