Griner leads Bears into Hilton on Saturday

AMES - Iowa State's 6-7 forward Anna Prins looks up to Baylor superstar Brittney Griner.

Literally.

“By an inch,” Prins said of facing a rare height disadvantage.

Griner's No. 1 Bears (14-0, 1-0) strut into Hilton Coliseum for Saturday's 7 p.m. Big 12 game and the stakes couldn't be higher for the Cyclones.

It's the first time ISU will host a top-ranked team at Hilton.

And the Cyclones (9-3, 0-1) require a rock-solid bounce-back effort after Wednesday's 80-59 loss at Oklahoma.

“I felt like (the Sooners) were just hitting everything,” said Prins, who has averaged 14 points in two previous games against Baylor - winning one as a freshman, losing one last season. “Playing at home and we've got the crowd; we're just excited. No matter what happens, if we just go out and compete and play our game, that's what's important.”

Griner's star status transcends the women's game.

Before she arrived in Waco, YouTube videos showcased her dunking ability, making her a household name among basketball fans across the globe.

“I would be shocked if she's not on the Olympic team,” ISU coach Bill Fennelly said of Griner, who averages 21.6 points, 10.5 rebounds and a nation-leading 5.4 blocked shots. “And that's a pretty big statement when you still have college eligibility. Great player on a phenomenal team.”

Griner casts a big shadow, too, but doesn't eclipse her talented teammates - a list that includes guard Odyssey Sims, who averages 17.8 points and 6/1 assists.

“(Griner's) individual talents have turned Baylor into a national caliber-type team,” Fennelly said. “Unfortunately, she can't go pro, can't go to the NBA.”

The key to diminishing Griner's towering presence is being physical, Cyclone leading scorer and rebounder Chelsea Poppens said.

“You've just got to be able to hold your ground and keep her from wearing you down,” said Poppens, who averages 14.5 points and 11.7 boards per game. “No one wants to get dunked on.”

ISU hopes to avoid its third straight 0-2 start in conference play.

“I want to play the Iowa State way,” guard Chassidy Cole said. “Just go out and compete and keep the crowd engaged, keep them interested. With their intensity and their screaming it can probably help us keep the flow of the game going.”