THE FRESH FIVE

A season after Kevin Durant was the national player of the year and another freshman, Greg Oden, became the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft, we take a weekly look at how UCLA’s Kevin Love and USC’s O.J. Mayo stack up against the nation’s best freshmen:

Michael Beasley, Kansas State

Season stats: 30 ppg, 20 rpg.

What he’s done lately: The 6-foot-10 forward is leading the nation in scoring and rebounding and, with a 28-point, 22-rebound performance against Western Illinois, Beasley became the first player in Big 12 Conference history to have two 20-point, 20-rebound games in a season. It took him only three games to do it.

What’s ahead: Thursday vs. George Mason at Orlando, Fla.; Friday and Sunday vs. TBA at Orlando.

Eric Gordon, Indiana

Season stats: 27 ppg, 63.2% three-point shooting.

What he’s done lately: The 6-4 guard followed up his 33-point debut with 21 points against Longwood, and has made 12 of 19 thee-pointers.

What’s ahead: Tonight vs. North Carolina Wilmington; Friday vs. Illinois State at Hoffman Estates, Ill.; Saturday vs. TBA at Hoffman Estates.

Kevin Love, UCLA

Season stats: 20 ppg, 11.8 rpg.

What he’s done lately: The 6-10 center has led or co-led the Bruins in scoring in every game he has played, including his 18 points on Monday.

What’s ahead: Tonight vs. Michigan State at Kansas City, Mo.; Friday vs. Yale.

O.J. Mayo, USC

Season stats: 25.7 ppg, 6 rpg.

What he’s done lately: After taking 27 shots to score 32 points in his first game, Mayo has been more efficient the last two and is shooting 49.2% overall. His 29-point performance against South Carolina was overshadowed by Daniel Hackett’s triple-double.

What’s ahead: Thursday vs. San Diego at Anaheim; Friday and Sunday vs. TBA at Anaheim.

Derrick Rose, Memphis

Season stats: 19.8 ppg, 5.5 rpg.

What he’s done lately: Teammates Joey Dorsey and Chris Douglas- Roberts took over the spotlight against Oklahoma and Connecticut. Notable stat for Rose, a point guard, against Connecticut: He scored a career-high 24 points but didn’t have an assist.

What’s ahead: Tonight vs. Arkansas State.