Four years later, recruiting promise will be fulfilled

AMES -2,171 minutes.

That's how much college basketball slick-shooting Lipscomb guard Jordan Burgason played before standing on the precipice of a life-long dream.

It's homecoming for the Ames native, who will see a four-year-old recruiting pledge met when he leads the Bisons against Iowa State in a 7 p.m. game Wednesday at Hilton Coliseum.

“The coaches promised me they'd return me back to Hilton to play if I committed there,” said Burgason, whose father, Steve, played for ISU. “I kept reminding them I still needed to come home and finally, in my senior season, they let me go with a great trip home.”

It hasn't felt - and won't feel like - home for the rest of the Bisons until Jan. 14.

Lipscomb (6-7) is in the midst of a seven-game road swing spanning 35 days.

“It's a good time of just bonding with your teammates and coaches,” said Burgason, who averages a team-best 12.9 points and shoots 48 percent from 3-point range. “So we've had a good time. It's always tough on the road, but hopefully we'll be able to pull off some wins here, starting (Wednesday).”

Former Ames teammate Bubu Palo, an ISU reserve guard, can provide a detailed scouting report on Burgason.

“He's a great shooter,” Palo said. “Try to make him drive and don't let him get going. Once he gets going, he's pretty tough to stop.”

The same can be said of the Cyclones (8-3) who used their best defensive effort of the season to overcome 16 turnovers and erratic shooting in Sunday's 59-52 win over Central Michigan.

“I think everybody has an understanding that when our shots aren't falling, we've got to find other ways to contribute,” said ISU guard Chris Babb, who missed eight of his last nine shots Sunday, but clamped down defensively. “I think we did that (against the Chippewas).”

Burgason will test ISU's defense, especially from beyond the arc.

He's made at least two 3-pointers in each game he's played this season.

“I'm sure he's going to be pumped up for this game,” said Cyclone coach Fred Hoiberg, who's also an Ames native. “I know (Lipscomb) will play hard. That's one thing, from watching film, that's very evident.”

As a Little Cyclone, Burgason played with four current Division I athletes.

There's Palo, as noted, but he also teamed with North Carolina star Harrison Barnes of North Carolina, Yale guard Jesse Pritchard and Nebraska tight end Ben Cotton.

“(We're) closely tied together,” Burgason said. “When we're all back in town, it's fun to get back together and talk about the old times.”

Wednesday, Lipscomb will enjoy the support of dozens of extra fans.

“I've got about 50 people right now on the list,” Burgason said. “We'll see how many tickets I get.”

LIPSCOMB (6-7) at IOWA STATE (8-3)

Where: Hilton Coliseum, Ames

Tipoff: 7 p.m.

TV: Mediacom Connections

Radio: KGYM-AM (1600)

Scouting report: Lipscomb's in the midst of a seven-game road swing and rides a three-game losing streak. Former Ames standout Jordan Burgason - whose father, Steve, played at ISU - is one of the Bisons' top players. Cyclones need more production from their starting guards, who combined for 16 points on 4 of 18 shooting in Sunday's 59-52 win over Central Michigan. The trio of Chris Allen, Scott Christopherson and Chris Babb also totaled seven rebounds, four assists and five turnovers.

Next for ISU: Mississippi Valley State, Dec. 31, noon.