Cyclones to try 'different' approach vs. No. 1 UConn

AMES – What does Bill Fennelly have up his sleeve today against mighty Connecticut?

The Iowa State coach hasn't said exactly, but rest assured his strategy for putting the college basketball world on its ear and ending the Huskies' NCAA-record 74-game winning streak will be unique and unconventional -- for his team at least.

“We are going to try some things that we haven't done all year,” Fennelly said. “Whatever. We are not going out there to keep the game close. We're going to try and win, and you've got to do some things different.

“Sometimes (a game plan) looks really good and sometimes it blows up in your face. If it blows up in our face, we'll get in line with the other 74.”

Freshman center Anna Prins was ripe with anticipation Thursday as ISU started preparing for its Sweet Sixteen match-up.

Tip-off from Dayton, Ohio, is scheduled for 11 a.m.

“I'm excited to see what Coach Fenn has in store for us,” said Prins, who'll get a turn at guarding All-America forward Tina Charles. “I don't know what to expect, but I'm excited.”

Connecticut (35-0) has a margin of victory this season of 35.9 points.

Only three teams – Stanford (12), St. Johns (14) and Notre Dame (15) – have even stayed within striking distance. To even be in that position, the Huskies have to be a little off.

“Things have to fall your way,” he said. “It's not simply because of a game plan. They have to miss some shots and… are going to have to help you.”

Intimidation is part of what the Cyclones (25-7) have to overcome.

Opponents surely feel like they are beat before they even step on the floor. Connecticut has won six national championships and been in the NCAA tournament every year since 1989.

Charles and guard Maya Moore both are Player of the Year candidates.

“Everyone is probably intimidated before they play them,” guard Kelsey Bolte said. “We are not going to go into the game thinking we've lost already. We are going to practice and prepare like we want to win.”

The Cyclones shocked the world 11 years ago with a Sweet 16 victory over UConn in Cincinnati.

Players can draw some inspiration from that upset win, though one today would be on a much different scale.

“It's not even close,” Fennelly said.

He's guided ISU to 11 NCAA appearances in 14 seasons at ISU, including back-to-back round of 16 runs. The Cyclones reached the Elite Eight a season ago before falling to Stanford.

A repeat of that is going to be a much greater challenge.

“If we need to play a perfect game we have no chance, because that's not going to happen,” Fennelly said. “We are going to play our guts out, but it's a basketball game. It's not life or death.”

ISU's young players will benefit big-time from the experience.

Most of this team returns next season. Alison Lacey and Denae Stuckey are the only senior regulars who'll be missing.

“No matter what happens, I'm taking what I can get from this game,” Prins said.