Beasley on national watch lists

Kansas State forward Michael Beasley entered the Wildcat program with high accolades. The nation's top-rated recruit, a member of the U.S. Under 18 National Team and a prep school national title were among his many honors. The watch lists for the nation's top collegiate player are beginning to be released and Beasley's performance thus far is being recognized.

Beasley tops the 2008 Wooden Watch this week. Beasley has overtaken North Carolina junior forward Tyler Hansbrough, who came in second this week. Indiana freshman guard Eric Gordon ranks No. 3, followed by Texas sophomore guard D.J. Augustin, who is up from No. 5 last week. UCLA freshman forward Kevin Love rounds out the top five.

The Wooden Watch, a weekly prediction of who will win college basketball's most prestigious individual honor, is voted on by CSTV, and CBS Sports basketball experts.

Also announced on Wednesday, Beasley was named to the mid-season Naismith Award list of 30 players. The 6-foot-10 native of Washington D.C., was one of six freshmen to make the list.

The entire 30 player list is as follows.

A.J. Abrams, Forward, Sophomore, Texas

Darrell Arthur, Forward, Sophomore, Kansas

D.J. Augustin, Guard, Sophomore, Texas

Michael Beasley, Forward, Freshman, Kansas State

Jon Brockman, Forward, Junior, Washington

Chase Budinger, Forward, Sophomore, Arizona

Stephen Curry, Guard, Sophomore, Davidson

Chris Douglas-Roberts, Guard, Junior, Memphis

Wayne Ellington, Guard, Sophomore, North Carolina

Shan Foster, Guard/Forward, Senior, Vanderbilt

Eric Gordon, Guard, Freshman, Indiana

Mike Green, Guard, Senior, Butler

James Harden Guard, Freshman, Arizona State

Tyler Hansbrough, Forward Junior, North Carolina

Luke Harangody, Forward, Sophomore, Notre Dame

Roy Hibbert, Center, Senior, Georgetown

Ty Lawson, Guard, Sophomore, North Carolina

Kevin Love, Forward, Freshman, UCLA

O.J. Mayo, Forward, Freshman, USC

Drew Neitzel, Guard, Senior, Michigan State

DeMarcus Nelson, Guard, Senior, Duke

Scottie Reynolds, Guard, Sophomore, Villanova

Tyrese Rice, Guard, Junior, Boston College

Brian Roberts, Guard, Senior, Dayton

Derrick Rose, Guard, Freshman, Memphis

Josh Shipp, Guard/Forward, Junior, UCLA

Sean Singletary, Guard, Senior, Virginia

Kyle Weaver, Guard, Senior, Washington State

D.J. White, Forward, Senior, Indiana

Sam Young, Forward, Junior, Pittsburgh