The K-State men’s basketball team will venture to one of the more underrated road environments in the Big 12 on Saturday at Iowa State.  The Wildcats have won seven in a row over the Cyclones, including the last three in Ames, although they’ve all been close games decided in the final minutes.  K-State coach Frank Martin says you have to play really well to earn a win at Hilton Coliseum, so the Cats prepare hard to play on the road by talking as a team about the environment they’ll encounter. 

Iowa State was a one-man show a year ago with all-Big 12 performer Craig Brackins.  All that’s changed this season as Brackins has a partner-in-crime with Marquis Gilstrap, who nearly averages a double-double.  Coach Martin says Gilstrap will be a handful because he’s one of the most athletic players in the Big 12.  Even with Gilstrap, Martin says you still always have to know where Brackins is on the floor at all times.

Iowa State faced a rather unprecented situation last month, forward Lucca Staiger left the Cyclones abruptly to pursue a professional contract in his native Germany.  The Cylcones are 1-4 since Staiger’s departure, and Martin says Iowa State is still recovering from Staiger leaving the team.  K-State junior guard Jacob Pullen says Iowa State was hurt by Staiger leaving, so the Cats must exploit the Cyclones’ weakness.

K-State men’s basketball will play at Hilton Coliseum Saturdayagainst Iowa State at 1:00 pm.  Pregame from Ames begins at noon on SportsRadio 1350 KMAN and 101.5 K-Rock from the K-State Sports Network.