Thanks to Monte Morris, ISU again 'big time' in Flint

By Rob Gray

 Correspondent

 AMES - They'll be gathering at Beecher High School in Flint, Mich., today, forming a sea of cardinal and gold in a locale where Michigan State green typically dominates the color scheme.

They'll pack the auditorium - hundreds of recently-converted Iowa State fans - eager to watch Cyclone freshman point guard Monte Morris, a Beecher grad, help lead his team in Sunday's  hyped nonconference matchup (4 p.m., ESPN2) with No. 7 Michigan at Hilton Coliseum.

“It's going to be big time,” said Morris, who will make plays to the oohs and ahhs of veteran over-the-top analyst Dick Vitale before a sellout crowd set to include a handful of key recruiting targets such as Rashad Vaughn. “Everybody back home will be watching.”

On TV or in person, this game between ISU (2-0) and the Wolverines (2-0) promises to indeed be big time - with plenty of “PTPers” and “diaper dandies”  patrolling the perimeter, the paint and a small section close to the court reserved for high school prospects.

“When you can see that many people just fill up the stands and how loud it gets, it's a surreal feeling,” ISU star forward Georges Niang said. “I can't imagine just sitting there taking it all in, watching. It could be the deciding factor for some of the recruits that we have here. I'm not saying anything too descriptive, but I hope it does. I hope we get some players off this and get a win also.”

Michigan played for the national championship last season, falling 82-76 to Louisville.

Standout big man, Mitch McGary, might not play because of injury.

Explosive scorers Caris LeVert, Glenn Robinson III and Nik Stauskas will.

“They can beat you from the inside and out,” Cyclone coach Fred Hoiberg said. “You just have to try to make them work. You have to try to make them take contested jump shots from the outside with a hand in their face and hopefully they have an off night.”

Morris, along with versatile backcourt mate DeAndre Kane, plan on making that happen.

They're two of six Cyclones averaging double figures in terms of scoring, and also - along with Naz Long - the team's best perimeter defenders.

“I like the fact that we're still feeling each other out but you can see the chemistry building,” said Morris, who averages 10 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and two steals.

A man he previously developed a close bond with will be on the other side.

The Wolverines' Derrick Walton was Morris' backcourt partner in AAU ball and some from back home are touting the friends-turned-foes storyline.

Morris isn't.

“I know at the end of the day it's basketball and it's not between me and Derrick,” Morris said. “It's between the Cyclones and Michigan. That's what I'm looking forward to.”