Cyclones host OU in first match of Saturday doubleheader

What went wrong at Baylor?

Iowa State men's basketball coach Fred Hoiberg summed it up concisely.

“We were just too soft, that's it,” said Hoiberg, whose team aims to rebound from Monday's 15-point loss to the No. 10 Bears in Saturday's 12:45 p.m. Big 12 matchup with Oklahoma at Hilton Coliseum.

Turn the page.

The Cyclones (18-8, 8-5) seek a season sweep over the Sooners (13-12, 3-10).

They also swept Texas A&M - and haven't done that to two or more Big 12 teams in a season since 2000-01.

Oklahoma's young, but long and features several athletes who can score inside and outside.

Sooner forwards Romero Osby and Andrew Fitzgerald combined for 44 points on 17-of-28 shooting in ISU's 77-70 win in the first meeting.

“I thought they broke us down too many times early in the game, which forced us to help,” Hoiberg said. “Those guys are very unique. Both Osby and Fitzgerald can step out and knock down shots. ... It's a tough task.”

Oklahoma coach Lon Kruger chose to double-team Cyclone star forward Royce White constantly in the first game.

The result?

White scored three points, but had seven assists while ISU's shooters drilled a conference-game record 15 3-pointers.

Hoiberg's not sure how the Sooners will approach White Saturday.

“They've played a variety of defenses throughout the year,” Hoiberg said. “Lon Kruger's as creative a defensive coach as there is, so we'll prepare for a lot of different things.”

Saturday could mark the return of ISU reserve point guard Bubu Palo, who missed the past 12 games because of a fractured wrist.

“He should be cleared,” Hoiberg said, who didn't necessarily indicate Palo would play. “He worked out (Wednesday) with the team and we didn't do a lot of live stuff. It will be great to have him (dressed) back on the bench.”

Palo's calming effect on both ends of the court has been missed, Hoiberg said.

“One thing, stability,” he said. “He does such a good job of going into the game if we we're a little bit out of sorts, getting everything organized. And on the defensive end, he's as good as we have as far as navigating the ball screen. Pick and roll coverage is pretty good when Bubu's guarding the ball.”

Oklahoma's lost five straight games.

Hoiberg expects the Sooners' best shot Saturday.

“They play hard every game,” he said. “I know they're going to come in and give their best effort and hopefully we'll do the same. We had a lot to clean up after the Baylor game.”