Freshmen take center stage when ASU, UA visit LA

Four wise (fresh)men will convene in Los Angeles this weekend for a two-game round-robin college basketball showcase against one another.

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Coaches and players alike frown upon such individual matchups, but the rest of us will have a hard time looking away from the hops and hoopla James Harden, Kevin Love, Jerryd Bayless and O.J. Mayo possess.

They’re all different players with different styles, but in three months these four have emerged not only as their team’s best offense, but as four of the most dynamic players in arguably the best conference in America.

None are old enough to rent a car, but all four are their teams’ best chance at the NCAA tournament.

Better watch them while you can. The NBA will be calling.

James Harden

School: Arizona State

Position: Guard

Height: 6-4

Age: 18

The numbers: 18.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 2.6 apg, 1.9 spg, 54.6 FG%

The value: He’s the single biggest reason why ASU is even in the NCAA tournament discussion. The sweet-shooting lefty has driven the Sun Devils to wins against Arizona and (to a slightly lesser degree) California, but his value (a favorite term of coach Herb Sendek) was never more apparent than when he struggled with a groin injury against Washington, and the Sun Devils’ offense went south.

The quote: “He plays like he’s 25 years old — he just does not get rattled.” — Washington coach Lorenzo Romar.

Chance he goes pro after this season: 20 percent

Kevin Love

School: UCLA

Position: Forward

Height: 6-10

Age:19

The numbers: 17.3 ppg, 11.3 rpg, 1.8 apg, 59 FG%

The value: UCLA coach Ben Howland isn’t easily pleased, but he’s already called Love the best freshman he’s ever coached, and used “dominating,” “unbelievable,” and “incredible,” in describing Love’s 26 points and 18 rebounds at Oregon on Saturday. Pretty good by itself, but considering the vicious, way-over-the-line taunting the Oregon native received from the Ducks’ student section beginning an hour before the game, the son of former Oregon standout Stan Love also has poise. The 21 rebounds he collected against Oregon State were a freshman record and the most by a Bruin since 1978. He’s 6-foot-10, 260 pounds, averages a double-double and has made 7 of 16 3-pointers in Pac-10 play.

The quote: “I even went to some of his baseball games. He was like Barry Bonds. Everybody wanted to walk him after they faced him one time.” — Washington State guard Venoy Overton, who played with Love in AAU from fourth through seventh grade.

Chances he goes pro after this season: 80 percent

O.J. Mayo

School: USC

Position: Guard

Height: 6-5

Age: 20

The numbers: 19.9 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 3.2 apg, 1.3 spg

The value: His wingspan makes him look closer to 6-foot-8 or 6-9, which makes it easier to score at least 12 points in every game this season. He’s scored 30 twice and reached 20 six times. Despite being nearly as young as the Sun Devils and facing a torturous nonconference schedule, the Trojans have won four straight, including an upset of UCLA. Mayo commits a lot of turnovers since he has the ball so often. The lanky shooter appears to have survived a minor NBA ticket flap involving friend Carmelo Anthony and is a near-lock to enter the NBA draft this spring.

The quote: “He’s good, but all you can do is just bother him. It’s the only thing you can hope to do, because you can’t really take away anything.” — Stanford forward Fred Washington, who held Mayo to 14 points in a USC victory.

Chances he goes pro after this season: 80 percent

Jerryd Bayless

School: Arizona

Position: Guard

Height: 6-3

Age: 19

The numbers: 19.9 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 4.6 apg, 1.0 spg, .457 3-pt FG%

The value: The former Phoenix St. Mary’s star missed four games (Memphis, Oregon, Oregon State and ASU) with a knee injury and the Wildcats went 1-3, with the win coming against lowly Oregon State. He returned against Houston, made a school-record 18 free throws and scored 33 points to go with five rebounds and nine assists. Arizona is 13-3 with Bayless, with those losses coming against Kansas and Virginia early, and Stanford two weeks ago. He’s the team’s best 3-point shooter, slasher and on-ball defender.

The quote: “I don’t even remember exactly what he said. I think he was just kind of trying to come out and intimidate me, but I think he doesn’t know who he’s talking to.” — a smiling Bayless, on Houston’s Robert McKiver trash talking.

Chances he goes pro after this season: 70 percent

Arizona State at No. 5 UCLA

When: 8:30 p.m. today

Where: Pauley Pavilion, Los Angeles

TV/Radio: None (FSN Arizona replay at 10:30 p.m.)/KTAR (92.3 FM)

Records: ASU 14-5, 4-3 Pac-10; UCLA 18-2, 6-1

Outlook: Arizona State — The Sun Devils are 14-54 all time against UCLA, including six consecutive losses dating back to 2004. The biggest problem against the Washington schools last weekend was outside shooting. The Sun Devils went 7-for-38 (.184) from behind the arc in the two games, while the Washington schools went 19-for-44 (.432). UCLA has so many offensive weapons that ASU is going to have to score more than 60 points to give itself a chance.

UCLA — Other than a hiccup to USC, the Bruins have been nearly perfect. They won nine in a row, lost to the Trojans and came back to sweep the Oregon schools on the road. The Bruins’ success lies squarely in their efficiency (47.5 percent shooting in Pac-10 play) and rebounding (plus-9 in the Pac-10). Josh Shipp, ASU forward Jerren Shipp’s older brother, is averaging 14.2 points and shooting 38 percent from behind the arc.