Naz Long smiled and strained his voice, “Look at him, baby!”

The ISU sophomore guard grew up watching ESPN announcer Dick Vitale commentate college basketball games. Vitale’s voice filled TV stations and video game consoles for most players on the ISU men’s basketball team, working for ESPN for more than three decades.

When Iowa State faces off against No. 7 Michigan on ESPN2 on Sunday, Nov. 17, Vitale will make his first appearance at Hilton Coliseum. The announcer known for his catchphrases — including adding ‘baby’ to all sorts of phrases — will cross Ames off his bucket list.

“Dick Vitale coming in for the first time will create some electricity in that building,” said ISU coach Fred Hoiberg. “To be able to play a team that was playing for a national championship a year ago with a lot of those key contributors back will be a heck of a test for us, but it’s also exciting.”

Iowa State will have a sellout crowd of 14,384 fans in attendance Sunday. The Cyclones played four games last season against top-10 opponents — three of which were against Kansas at home, away and on a neutral court.

Long remembers his experience in that game well.

“It doesn’t get any better than having a top-10 team come into Hilton,” Long said. “For Kansas last year, I think that was one of the best experiences of my life. Just to see the whole place rocking and the whole Cyclone Alley going crazy, I feel like everybody in Ames is just waiting to get into that building.”

When players get the chance to talk with Vitale on Sunday, they plan on shooting their impressions his way.

“He’s had a lot of big-time sayings,” said ISU sophomore forward Georges Niang. “So I’m definitely going to try to show him my best Dick Vitale impression.”

What’s his favorite? Much like Long, Niang strained his voice, “Oh, he’s a PTP, a primetime performer.”

Sunday’s game against Michigan sold out in less than 10 minutes when tickets went on sale Oct. 16. Iowa State said Thursday that 22 NBA scouts have requested credentials, the most ever for a game at Hilton Coliseum.

Former ISU and Michigan coach Johnny Orr, the winningest coach in both school’s histories, will also be in attendance.

Along with Vitale and many others.

“When I was a kid, I was like, ‘Who is this guy?’” Long said. “He’s full of energy, like, you could swear he never has a sad day. He’s always happy. To have him at your game is a blessing, because you grow up watching him and listening to him commenting games.”