AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – Everybody agrees on the best power forward in the 2008 draft – Kansas State’s Michael Beasley, who had a freshman season that by the numbers ranks with the best in college basketball history.

Beasley averaged 26.2 points and 12.4 rebounds a game, monstrous stats. He not only made 53 percent of his shots despite playing for a team that had only one other respected offensive weapon – Bill Walker, a candidate to be taken by the Pistons with the 29th pick if the MRI on his most recent knee injury doesn’t scare teams off – but Beasley displayed 3-point range, too, shooting 38 percent from the arc.

Nicknamed “Beastley,” the left-hander tested well athletically, though he came in a little shorter than hoped for at 6-foot-8. But Beasley’s combination of strength, touch, ballhandling, range, athleticism and nose for the ball had most scouts in agreement from early in the college season that he would be the No. 1 pick in this draft.

Only when Memphis freshman point guard Derrick Rose began carrying the Tigers late in the regular season, through the NCAA tournament and all the way to the Final Four did he gain momentum to be considered for the top overall choice. And while speculation rages that Chicago was torn up through working both players out last week, most think the Bulls are going to eventually go with Rose, less because he’s a homegrown star than because of the growing importance of a dynamic lead guard in today’s NBA.

Which means Beasley almost certainly will be the second pick – though some doubt Miami, which holds the pick, will be the one to exercise it.

Beyond Beasley, opinions vary wildly on what shapes up as the deepest position in this draft.

The next one to go probably will be UCLA freshman Kevin Love, possibly as high as No. 5 – whether Memphis keeps the pick or trades up, perhaps with Miami. But many scouts like several other players better than Love. On some team draft boards, one or more from among the group of Kansas sophomore Darrell Arthur, North Carolina State freshman J.J. Hickson and LSU freshman Anthony Randolph are believed rated ahead of Love, who though fundamentally flawless is a little undersized and plays below the rim.

Beyond that top group, another handful of players could sneak into the first round – and one of them might be a candidate to be taken at the Pistons at No. 29.

Among them are Serge Ibaka, an 18-year-old from the Congo who is raw and somewhat similar to Amir Johnson; Cal sophomore Ryan Anderson, who put up eye-popping numbers in the highly competitive Pac-10; Indiana senior D.J. White, a big-time rebounder and versatile scorer; and Memphis’ Joey Dorsey, who some were calling the college version of Ben Wallace.

Teams that could be in the market for a power forward:

Chicago – The Bulls desperately need the post scoring threat Beasley would represent, which is why speculation still exists over whether they’ll go for him or Rose.

Miami – Not a critical need with Shawn Marion and Udonis Haslem, but Beasley would represent an upgrade over Haslem and could play opposite the versatile Marion if he doesn’t opt out or signs an extension.

Memphis – The Grizzlies are painfully thin up front, where Darko Milicic and Hakim Warrick are the nominal starters.

Indiana – If the Pacers find a taker for Jermaine O’Neal, they would have to consider the ultra-athletic Randolph if he fell to them at 11 and no point guard to their liking was still on the board.

Philadelphia – Very strong likelihood, because of need and the way the draft falls, that the 76ers will be going big with this pick, though it might more likely be a center than one from this group unless Randolph or Arthur unexpectedly get to 16.

Seattle – Unlikely the Sonics will use their pick at No. 4 to go big with the quality at point guard, but with the 24th pick obtained from Phoenix a big man is a good bet.