Iowa State aims to carry defensive effort into Cincinnati matchup

AMES - The Iowa State men's basketball team's offensive identity has given way, at least in part, to a more defensive-minded effort.

Of course the offensive weaponry is still there - the Cyclones have scored 100-plus points twice and no less than 71 in their six games - but most of the offseason work centered on getting stops.

So far, No. 21 Iowa State has showed its emphasis on defense is more than just talk. That will have to continue against Cincinnati on Thursday at 8 p.m. (ESPN).

'I think the thing about growing on defense is just doing it for a full 40 minutes,” said guard Naz Mitrou-Long. 'That's when we really get a complete effort and find out who we truly are as a team and I think that's what will separate us from the group.”

In the Fred Hoiberg era, and the first year-plus of the Steve Prohm era, the Cyclones (5-1) have always had efficient offenses. But Prohm is building a defense to match, with Iowa State checked in at No. 35 in KenPom's defensive efficiency rankings.

In a 17-point win against Miami last week, Iowa State had one less rebound than the Hurricanes, but held them to 36 percent shooting and 12.5 percent from long range. After letting No. 8 Gonzaga shoot 64.5 percent from the field and 66.7 percent from 3 in the first half, Iowa State held the ‘Zags to 29.2 percent and 38.5 percent in those categories in the second half.

'We've got to use our athleticism,” Prohm said. 'We've got to use our activity to make it tough on people. And I thought we moved it back a little bit and I thought that gave them some problems but the biggest thing we did in the second half is we just competed at a whole different level.”

The Bearcats (5-1) will bring some size to Ames on Thursday, but could be without forward Gary Clark (6-foot-8, 225 pounds), who sprained his ankle in their last game and is day-to-day. He had 10 points and nine rebounds while Cincinnati outrebounded Iowa State 40-36 last season at Fifth Third Arena.

While freshman forward Solomon Young continues to sit with a broken left hand - Prohm said he is week-to-week - the onus falls on forwards Deonte Burton, Darrell Bowie and Merrill Holden to set the tone. They are averaging 8.5, 7.3 and 3.8 boards, respectively.

'It's heart over height,” Holden said. 'It doesn't matter how big the other team is. As long as we go out there and we play our game and we play a strong game and we do what we have to do, we'll get the job done.”

What has partially made the difference for Iowa State defensively, and in rebounding, is how its guards have been able to get involved. Mitrou-Long (6.8), Monte Morris (5.2), Nick Weiler-Babb (4.5) and Matt Thomas (4.3) have all made a point to crash the glass.

'I'm stronger than a lot of guards out there, so it just comes down to people just crashing the glass,” Mitrou-Long said. 'Monte is doing a great job being in that little free throw area and Matt's been a rebounder, he averaged five last year, so you just continue to do that. It's definitely a big part we've bought in to.”

l Comments: montzdylan@gmail.com