FRESH FIVE

Each week, The Times takes a look at the best of the nation’s freshman class. This week, UCLA’s Kevin Love takes his first breather of the season as Derrick Rose of Memphis and USC’s O.J. Mayo return.

Michael Beasley, Kansas State

* Season stats: 26.2 ppg, 12.6 rpg.

* What he’s done lately: Beasley has scored 40 or more points three times this season. Beasley’s 44 points against Baylor -- a Big 12 Conference record -- also gave a hint as to why North Carolina’s Tyler Hansbrough might beat Beasley out for player of the year: Kansas State still lost the game. Beasley had 30 points and 15 rebounds in a loss to Texas on Monday.

* What’s ahead: Saturday at Kansas.

Eric Gordon, Indiana

* Season stats: 21.5 ppg, 46.4 FG%.

* What he’s done lately: The controversy and upheaval surrounding Kelvin Sampson’s resignation hasn’t much affected Gordon’s scoring average. He scored 22 in a victory over Purdue in Sampson’s final game and had 18 against Northwestern, making 26 of 31 free throws over those two games.

* What’s ahead: tonight vs. Ohio State, Sunday at Michigan State.

Jerryd Bayless, Arizona

* Season stats: 21.1 ppg, 4.4 apg.

* What he’s done lately: Since being held to 13 points in a loss to UCLA, Bayless has averaged 29 points over the last five games, including 22 in a loss at Washington and 20 in a victory at Washington State last week. He is shooting 47.8% from the field, including 43.3% from three-point range.

* What’s ahead: Thursday vs. USC, Sunday vs. UCLA.

Derrick Rose, Memphis

* Season stats: 14.1 ppg., 4.3 apg.

* What he’s done lately: Rose couldn’t preserve the Tigers’ undefeated record against Tennessee, but he gave it a pretty good shot, with 23 points, five assists and four steals in the loss. Rose made nine of 16 shots, including two three-pointers, and had only three turnovers. Earlier against Tulane, he had 17 points and five assists.

* What’s ahead: Wednesday vs. Tulsa, Saturday at Southern Mississippi.

O.J. Mayo, USC

* Season stats: 20.1 ppg, 4.5 rpg.

* What he’s done lately: After a season-low four points against UCLA, Mayo came back with 32 against Oregon and 21 against Oregon State. He made 16 of 34 shots (47.1%) in those two games, including nine of 14 (64.3%) from three-point range.

* What’s ahead: Thursday at Arizona, Saturday at Arizona State.

-- Robyn Norwood