This class appears to be fresh out of stars

An unofficial audit of this year's freshman class has led a panel of expert (me) to a conclusion that may anger some mothers, sneaker reps, AAU coaches and English teachers:

It ain't close to last year's freshman class.

Of course, in terms of attention grabs, following Derrick Rose, Michael Beasley, O.J. Mayo, Kevin Love, Jerryd Bayless and Eric Gordon is like following Britney Spears out of a barbershop.

Rose, as a ferocious freshman, would have/should have/could have led Memphis to the national title last year had the Tigers not started celebrating with two minutes left against Kansas.

No player in extended shorts brought more mustard to USC than Mayo, Beasley was a beast at Kansas State and UCLA's Love wowed NCAA tournament crowds in practice by sinking full-court baskets with effortless flips of his wrists.

And he made the outlet pass cool again.

These guys were "one-and-done" impresarios who picked up where the classy Greg Oden-Kevin Durant class of 2007 left off.

Eleven freshmen were chosen in last year's NBA draft, nine in the first round.

Rose, Beasley and Mayo went 1-2-3; Love was fifth.

Beasley averaged 26 points and 12 rebounds a game, Mayo was always good for 20, and Love was a 17-and-10 post presence.

OK, who's got next?

"It's way out of whack that way," USC Coach Tim Floyd said of expectations last year's class set.

DeMar DeRozan, a 6-7 forward, was billed as the next Mayo at USC; 6-3 guard Jrue Holiday, the 2008 Gatorade player of the year, was coming to fill Love's vacuum.

So far, both have been . . . nice young players.

DeRozan averages 12 points and five rebounds but scored only five in 32 minutes in last week's snail-crawl win at Washington State. Holiday scores in single digits, but he is starting.

Washington State Coach Tony Bennett's assessment of Holiday:

"He's a freshman," Bennett said. "Is he O.J. Mayo right now? Is he one of those? Perhaps not, but he's going to be a special player. You can see that."

The problem: Fabulous freshmen aren't allowed time to grow into their second semesters. They have to be good now because, you know, the NBA cares.

Sometimes, though, it does take more than 10 minutes to warm up and, heaven forbid, you might actually have to become a sophomore.

Most of the freshmen of UCLA's prized class are biding time on Ben Howland's bench.