Back-to-back losses in Las Vegas resulted in a tough week of practice for the ISU men’s basketball team leading into Saturday’s game against BYU.

On Monday, ISU coach Fred Hoiberg said this week’s practice was going to be “physical and very demanding.” The team played physically in Las Vegas the week before against two ranked teams in UNLV and Cincinnati, both losses.

What Hoiberg was pleased with was the rebounding numbers, which, after the first game of the season, was a big concern.

“Our guys are going every time,” Hoiberg said. “They’re doing their job in that area of the game. Now it’s about putting together a complete package where we’re going to execute our offense, defense and rebounding game plan, and again I’m confident we’ll get there.”

After the two games in Las Vegas, Iowa State now ranks No. 2 in the nation in rebounds with an average of 48 per game. Last year, Iowa State’s squad only averaged 36 rebounds per game.

Brigham Young (BYU) may not have Jimmer Fredette — which Will Clyburn laughed about when he was asked if it would be easier to guard the team without him in the lineup — but it still has a key piece from that team that captured the nation’s attention a few years ago.

Brandon Davies, a 6-foot-9, 235-pound forward was the second-leading scorer on that team, but was deemed ineligible following a violation of the student conduct-code.

Now Davies is the second-leading scorer on this team as well, averaging 18.6 points per game along with 7.7 rebounds per game.

“He’s very crafty, and he’s left-handed,” Clyburn said. “It’s always hard checking a left-handed opponent. He throws a lot of fakes and he’s very crafty.”

This year, the Cougars (5-2) are led by a different guard in Tyler Haws, who didn’t score a point last year. Haws is leading the team with 22.6 points per game along with six rebounds and three assists per game.

“He’s a heck of a player, and he’s really effective,” Hoiberg said of Haws. “I know he’s a heck of a player, and Davies is a load on the block.”

BYU ranks No. 8 in the country in assists per game, one area in which Iowa State has struggled. Its assist-to-turnover ratio is 131-to-91 on the season, marginally above Iowa State’s 93-to-96.

Hoiberg has reiterated that his entire team, not just point guard Korie Lucious, needs to improve in that department.

“I think the biggest thing is making safe basketball plays,” Hoiberg said. “We’re trying to hit too many home runs and we’ve got too many weapons on the offensive end to take those types of chances. We’ve got to get the ball moving from side to side and our numbers show when we do that we’re much more successful.”

Hoiberg said both teams are expecting to get on track after tough losses, but believes his squad has what it takes to win.

Tip off for Saturday’s game is set for 1 p.m. at Hilton Coliseum.