From defense to offense

AMES - Confidence is key to shooting well.

Iowa State men's basketball coach Fred Hoiberg knows that perhaps as well as anyone.

In his time at ISU, as a 10-year NBA veteran and now head coach, Hoiberg knows just how vital the mental aspect is in finding success on both ends of the court.

'This game, it's amazing when you have confidence and how much easier the game is to go out and play,” he said. 'When you're struggling with that, it's a hard game ... the rim is like a little thimble out there at times.”

Iowa State used to a 21-2 run to put away Lamar on Tuesday, propelling the No, 19 Cyclones (4-1) into a Top 25 matchup tonight with No. 21 Arkansas.

The Cyclones found their confidence at an opportune time on Tuesday after suffering their first loss to Maryland last week.

Always a threat on offense, Iowa State has worked on trying to find ways to turn up the pressure on defense. Against the Cardinals, the Cyclones forced 27 turnovers, including 16 steals, and used that momentum from the defense to create easier transition opportunities in a fast-paced offense.

'I think that was the key,” said junior Georges Niang. 'Once we started getting stops and getting it off the glass, I think that was key to us getting out and running and pushing the tempo and that's where we really succeeded when we were playing fast.”

The ISU defense will have its hands full tonight - especially from the perimeter - when the Razorbacks invade Hilton. Arkansas - sitting at 6-0 and leading the nation in assists per game with 20.7 - is shooting 46.1 percent from beyond the arc.

Four Razorback players are averaging double-figure scoring and have found success in spacing the floor, something not taken lightly by Hoiberg.

'They play their system, the fastest 40 minutes in basketball,” Hoiberg said. '(Arkansas Coach) Mike (Anderson) has done a terrific job of getting some really good players in there that fit that system. They're shooting the heck out of the ball.”

With a newfound confidence on defense and an offense that found its groove late in the first half against Lamar, Niang expects the home atmosphere to be electric tonight.

'It should be nuts,” Niang said. 'Whenever we have a pretty good team coming in here, the fans get crazy. We're really excited to get back and play a BCS school and show what we can do.”

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