No. 9 Iowa State looking for bounce back at No. 21 Cincinnati

AMES — Players wasted no time when it came to watching film from Iowa State's first loss of the season. In fact, only a few hours separated the loss with the nighttime film session.

When the Cyclones got back to their apartments, some decided to watch the Northern Iowa game replay together. Others watched it individually, but the general consensus was the same for everybody. Controlling tempo and closing out defensively has to be the focus moving forward.

'The team shot 58 percent and lost by two points,' said senior Georges Niang. 'If you look at (Northern Iowa's numbers) you'd probably expect us to lose by 20 or something. Really we've just got to muster up a better effort and lock into the plan and scouting report and go out there and execute it.'

Reviewing the film didn't change how the loss felt, but it showed No. 9 Iowa State (9-1) how to avoid falling into the same traps against No. 21 Cincinnati on Tuesday. The Cyclones' matchup with the Bearcats (10-2) will be their first true road game of the season and will pit different styles against each other.

Cincinnati is ranked 92nd nationally in field goal percentage (.458), but 11th in defensive field goal percentage (.369). Iowa State has stayed true in its offensive philosophy and is ninth in field goal percentage (.512), but is 131st in defensive field goal percentage (.414).

The Bearcats also are top 15 in defensive two-point percentage (.377), points per game (59.4), total rebounds and total blocks. Iowa State is top five in offensive two-point percentage, but will have to find a way to take Cincinnati out of what it does best.

'They try to kick your butts on the glass,' said Iowa State coach Steve Prohm. 'Cincinnati is a tough place to play. There's a great quote: You don't win on the road. You don't win at home. You win in the paint, you win on the free throw line and you win on the glass.

'Those are the areas we've got to dominate tomorrow.'

Four of five starters for Cincinnati average double-figure scoring with guard Farad Cobb at 12 points per game. Northern Iowa's formula for success was setting ball screens that could be turned into long-range shots, so Iowa State is cognizant of Cincinnati's ability to emulate that with a scoring threat like Cobb as the ballhandler.

'If we could have improved that, it would have taken away UNI's whole identity for them,' Niang said. 'We can do a better job of sticking to shooters and knowing who people are from the scouting report. Once we do that, the sky is the limit for this team.'

Iowa State point guard Monte Morris is averaging career highs in scoring, rebounding, assists and steals, but struggled to get his offense going with just eight points and 2-of-5 from the free throw line. He had five rebounds, six assists and zero turnovers in 37 minutes, but has been banged up in the process.

Morris took a shot to the hip two weeks ago against Buffalo and collided shins with UNI's Jeremy Morgan and subsequently missed two free throws. He isn't worried about minutes or wear and tear he'll take this season, but he doesn't expect it to affect him long term.

'I think somebody's got a hit list on me. I feel good though,' Morris said with a smile. 'It's always something, but I should be good. I always get out there and get loose so it doesn't feel bad during the game. In this type of atmosphere and this game, I've got a lot of family coming so I should be good.'

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