No. 1 in NBA Draft '08: Michael Beasley or Derrick Rose?

With the NBA Draft in June fast approaching, I wonder who will be this year's No. 1 pick.

Freshman Derrick Rose has been nothing but sensational during the Tigers' tournament run, averaging 21.4 points and five rebounds per game. Will it be Rose?

Or will it be spectacular freshman Michael Beasley from Kansas State who broke the NCAA record for most double-doubles by a freshman? He was also among the national leaders in scoring and rebounding.

I believe it will be Beasley because of history.

Look at the last 11 drafts. As crazy as this may sound, it has been over a decade since a player shorter than 6'8" was drafted No. 1 overall.

A guard hasn't been drafted with the top pick since the 1996 NBA Draft when a six-foot tall guard by the name of Allen Iverson was selected out of Georgetown.

2007 Greg Oden C

2006 Andrea Bargnani PF/C

2005 Andrew Bogut C

2004 Dwight Howard C

2003 LeBron James SF

2002 Yao Ming C

2001 Kwame Brown C

2000 Kenyon Martin PF/C

1999 Elton Brand C

1998 Michael Olowokandi C

1997 Tim Duncan PF/C

1996 Allen Iverson

Whoever is lucky enough to have his name called first in the draft lottery may have the deciding factor on his side.

I guess Greg Oden was right. ''Who says big men can't sell?''

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ScPbahF4Bw