The college basketball season is finally here, and Iowa State is already gearing up for its second nonconference showdown.

Alabama A&M (1-0, 0-0 SWAC) heads to Ames on Monday for a 7 p.m. tip and the Cyclones (1-0, 0-0 Big 12) have plenty to work on.

Considering the minimal factor the nonconference season plays in NCAA tournament selection, ISU guard Will Clyburn said the team’s focus is more on improving its game than the opponent itself.

“We’ve just got to work on us getting ourselves better,” Clyburn said. “We can’t focus on who we’re playing; we just have to make sure we’re doing the right thing and doing everything correct to just try and get better.”

In the Cyclones’ regular season opener last Friday, Clyburn notched his first double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds in the win against Southern.

The turnover margin could be the biggest area of improvement for Iowa State early on. Iowa State’s 15 turnovers in the exhibition against Minnesota State and 21 against Southern are both well above its 12.3 average from last season.

However, coach Fred Hoiberg’s squad did see a huge improvement in giveaways during the second half of Friday’s opener. After recording a whopping 17 in the first half, Iowa State turned the ball over only four times in the second half. 

Hoiberg said trying to get tricky with passes and throwing the ball in behind-the-back fashion contributed to the high first half total. He also said the team can’t be giving up so many possessions.

“We just lost our minds,” Hoiberg said. “I don’t know what we were doing out there in the first half. One thing I talk to our guys about all the time is we have too many weapons out there to give the other team the ball.”

Cyclone guard Korie Lucious was a significant contributor to the turnover total Sunday and against Minnesota State, as well. The transfer from Michigan State is known for his speed and ball-handling skills, but even with his seven turnovers against Southern, Hoiberg said he isn’t worried.

“I think he’s pressing a little bit, there’s no doubt about it,” Hoiberg said. “When you start out the game, I think he had four turnovers in the first five minutes; you get a little timid, I guess, and you don’t go out there and let your game flow, and I thought that he just pressed too much tonight but it’ll be fine.”

The key for the Cyclones is putting together a full 40 minutes of play. In both games this season, Iowa State has been unable to find a rhythm early and even lost the lead in the first half against Southern.

In the second half of both games, the Cyclones have produced explosive play to put the games out of reach. If the team can find a way to play in the first like they do in the second, the opportunities to exceed expectations are endless.

“Really just make sure we come out with a lot of intensity to start the game,” said post player Percy Gibson. “We’ve been lagging at the beginning of the games, but we’ve got to pick that up and play harder as soon as possible.”

The first chance to do so is with Alabama A&M on Monday night at Hilton Coliseum. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m.