Cyclones' goal: Protect Hiltona gainst visiting Bulldogs

AMES - Iowa State will try to end one streak and continue another tonight against Drake at Hilton Coliseum when the longest-running rivalry between in-state basketball teams is renewed.

The Cyclones (2-0) have dropped their last two home games in the series.

On the flip side, first-year coach Fred Hoiberg never lost to Drake in four meetings as a player and doesn't want to start now. It is the first of three match-ups for ISU against in-state opponents over the next 3 1/2 weeks.

And you could almost count Sunday's meeting with Creighton and former coach Greg McDermott at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines in that category, too.

“We are going to treat this like any other game, but it's always special and we should have a little better energy,” Hoiberg said of the 170th meeting between Drake and ISU.

Hoiberg's squad has had a good start in soundly beating Northern Arizona and Alabama State. All five starters are averaging in double figures and defensively the Cyclones are holding opponents to 55.5 points a game and 17.1 percent shooting from beyond the arc.

“So far I'm very pleased,” Hoiberg said. “Everybody is doing good things.”

Senior forward Jamie Vanderbeken has hit 8 of 15 3-point tries and is the most accurate long range shooter in school history at 43.6 percent (51 of 117). He hit six in the season opener and is really looking to score. The 6-11 Vanderbeken missed most of last season with a foot injury.

“Last year killed me,” he said. “This is what I live for. Basketball is what I'm here for.”

Guard Jake Anderson was Big 12 Rookie of the Week after averaging 10 points and 12 rebounds in his first two games after transferring from Northern Illinois.

He's been the Cyclones' best defender and at 6-2 is quite the rebounder. He likely will be matched up against Drake's leading scorer, guard Ryan Wedel.

“I'm very pleased with what he's brought to us,” Hoiberg said. “He's really a team guy.”

Another transfer guard, Marshalltown Community College's DeMarcus Phillips, made his debut Sunday and should see more court time tonight as his broken left, non-shooting hand continues to heal.

Drake Coach Mark Phelps is entering his second season.

Like Hoiberg, he is implementing his philosophies and building his roster with mostly young players. Both teams will know a lot more about one another after tonight.

“We are both a work in progress at this point,” Hoiberg said. “I'm sure Coach Phelps would say the same thing. I do think Drake is a program on the rise.”