ESPN.com has a good, quick read from Pat Forde regarding the one-year draft rule and Wednesday night’s McDonald’s All-American Game in Lexington, Kentucky. While it was certainly weird to not have any future Longhorns to watch this year, it was quite enjoyable to know that everybody involved will be a part of March Madness just a year from now.

Even without a Longhorn on the McD’s All-American rosters, there was still a bit of a burnt-orange tinge to Forde’s column. After all, the Horns brought in seven freshman during the first season impacted by the NBA’s new rule. And apparently there’s a pretty good Longhorn frosh who wears 35 and has a penchant for exuberant chest-beating.

[UCLA commit Kevin] Love said he is close friends with Durant, talked to him often during the season and last chatted with him this week.

“He doesn’t know what he wants to do yet,” Love said of Durant’s pro decision. “I told him, ‘The only thing you can do is go down or get hurt, so you might as well go.’ But he hasn’t decided yet.”

If Durant makes any decision other than the one Love has counseled, he’s nuts. He served his time, played well, probably had fun. But whatever higher education he got beyond a jab series and a more polished spin move is purely incidental.

While Horn fans certainly aren’t sending Love or Forde any thank-you cards for those bits of unwanted advice, the same thoughts are certainly running through Longhorn Nation’s collective mind. But what the burnt-orange faithful can thank Forde for are some gems regarding big-time star Michael Beasley and the sickeningly cocky O.J. Mayo.

Game MVP Michael Beasley did cause a bunch of eyebrows to arch when he announced that he planned to stay at Kansas State all four years. His 23 points and 12 rebounds were the work of a guy who doesn’t need four years in school.

…”I would love to see him have the opportunity [to go pro], but he’s going to go to the best coach in the world for my son,” [Beasley’s mother] said.

That coach is Bob Huggins.

“He still needs some fine-tuning, and he’s going to get it,” [she] said. “Discipline, sportsmanship, character.”

There might be a few (hundred) coaches I’d turn to before Bob Huggins for fine-tuning in those areas, but to each his own.

Ziiiing! He’ll be here all week. Don’t forget to tip your waitstaff.

As for the pothead prima-donna, Forde said that Mayo “could use a conscience” and was “booed for his shameless shot selection.” O.J. finished the night 4-of-17 from the field. Looks like he’d fit in with the NBA folks already.