Iowa State’s ramp up in competition begins with Indiana State at AdvoCare Invitational

AMES - There is only so much the Iowa State men's basketball team has been able to learn about itself so far.

With a 42.3-point average margin of victory in their last three games and a 130-point performance last week, the Cyclones know they can score. But what else, particularly on defense, can they produce this season?

No. 22 Iowa State's participation in the AdvoCare Invitational in Orlando, Fla., will be a good barometer of answering some questions.

'No disrespect to these teams, the past three teams we played, but we felt very confident in winning those three,” said guard Naz Mitrou-Long. 'The difficulty is going to take another step forward.

'We're just going to take everything we learn from Coach and each other, get in the film room, get on the floor and do what we've got to do to put ourselves in a position to win the tournament.”

Iowa State gets Indiana State in its opening game Thursday (11:30 a.m., ESPN2), and is meeting the Sycamores (2-1) for the second time in school history. Indiana State has played two games on the road in overtime, going 1-1, and beating Division-II Missouri-St. Louis last weekend.

'This will be a great test for us. I've got a lot of respect,” said Iowa State coach Steve Prohm. 'I'm very familiar with Indiana State. (Coach) Greg (Lansing) does a really good job over there, but our guys will be ready. 'These preseason tournaments are really a lot of fun.”

The Sycamores are averaging 79 points per game against Division-I competition, but are 242nd of 351 in adjusted offense and 153rd in adjusted tempo according to KenPom.com. The Sycamores won't play fast, which will give Iowa State continued opportunities to work on its defense - which is 49th according to KenPom.com when adjusted.

'No matter who we play, if we can close gaps and make guys shoot contested shots then you'll be in the right way to win the game,” said point guard Monte Morris. 'So if we just handle Iowa State and just know our personnel and things like that, and Coach has a good game plan we should be just fine no matter who steps on the floor down there in Florida.”

Either Stanford or Miami, which is receiving votes, awaits Iowa State on Friday, with tipoff scheduled for 10 a.m. if the Cyclones win the opener and noon if they lose. On the other side of the bracket is a chance for the Cyclones to really play high-level opponents with Seton Hall or Florida, both receiving votes, or No. 11 Gonzaga.

The AdvoCare Invitational begins a two-week stretch that could give Iowa State challenges beyond just the competition in Florida.

The Cyclones host Cincinnati, which is receiving votes, on Dec. 1 in a return game from last year with a trip to Iowa the following week. Only two nonconference games beyond the Cy-Hawk matchup separate Iowa State from the start of Big 12 play.

The players and coaches knew the ramp up in competition was coming, and now that it's here, they feel ready for it.

'We're going to take it one game at a time, but looking ahead at the schedule those three games in Florida, regardless, are all going to be competitive games no matter who we play,” said guard Matt Thomas. 'Then to come home and play Cincinnati and then at Iowa, that's a pretty tough stretch.

'So, again, just take it one game at a time and see what happens.”

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