Iowa State hoping to build on 40-minute effort against Coppin State

AMES - Iowa State isn't oblivious to what is on the horizon. Players and coaches know a date with No. 2 Oklahoma looms large and will start conference play with a bang.

In the meantime, the No. 9 Cyclones are doing all they can to not peak ahead.

Staying in the moment is exactly what helped Iowa State score a road win at then-No. 21 Cincinnati last week. Besides getting a win, replicating that precise focus against Coppin State is all that matters.

'Play with good focus, good energy and build on it for the weekend,” said Iowa State coach Steve Prohm. 'Whether you win by whatever, obviously you want to win, but you just want to play the right way. That's the biggest thing about (Wednesday).”

Coppin State is 2-12 in non-conference play and is coming to Ames after a 102-77 loss at Creighton on Monday night. The Cyclones (10-1) are facing little more than a tune-up game against the Eagles, but senior Georges Niang referenced the importance of putting together 40-minute efforts regardless of the opponent.

Niang is netting 19.2 points per game and 6.5 rebounds so far, but has averaged 27 points per game in the last two contests. He said finding ways to beat teams by outplaying them with technique instead of relying on natural talent is what will make a difference in the long run.

'You're really going to have to be on your Ps and Qs and really get things going starting with this game,” Niang said. 'You want to go in with a groove and some momentum because we had that with Cincinnati, but you get a Christmas break so you want to pick it up right where you left off.”

Depth has been often discussed since Naz Mitrou-Long decided to sit out the rest of the season and seek medical hardship, but Prohm doesn't envision the rotation growing past seven deep in Big 12 play.

Guard Jordan Ashton and forward Simeon Carter are next in line when adding to the rotation, but the Cyclones are still honed in on finding the best combination for its current seven-man first group and would look to Ashton and Carter in desperate situations.

'When you play the game the right way, they're fun to watch and a really, really good group,” Prohm said. 'That's what we'll preach these next two days. You can't take anybody lightly in this era of college basketball. Obviously I'd love to get Jordan and Simeon some minutes if possible (against Coppin State).”

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