In the days following a 74-65 loss in Des Moines to Drake, the ISU men’s basketball team has had time to reflect.

Coaches and players arrived at a consensus, and it wasn’t the offense, as many watching might have guessed.

“I think we learned that there’s some things on defense that we have to correct as far as team defense,” said forward Royce White. “Meshing on defense is one of the most important things and critical things that you’re gonna face.”

The Cyclones allowed Drake to shoot 50 percent in Tuesday’s game compared to 36.8 percent for Iowa State. Coach Fred Hoiberg said that while the Cyclones did struggle on the offensive end, his focus after watching the film was on the other end of the court.

“I was more concerned with the defense, absolutely,” Hoiberg said. “We missed a lot of shots inside, we missed 10 free throws, so I’m not too concerned about our offense. Our shot selection wasn’t great, I’ll say that, but I’m more concerned with defense at this point.”

Going forward, as the Cyclones prepare to take on Western Carolina at Hilton Coliseum on Sunday, the team is searching to find a way to come together as a team defensively.

Guard Chris Babb, who spent all last season playing with White, Chris Allen and others on the scout team, said this group is still getting used to one another — something people thought was taken care of already.

“That was more of a chemistry thing rather than experience on the court,” Babb said when asked about playing on the scout team. “We never really played in our positions.

“We’re still figuring each other out, it’s kind of a trial-and-error thing at this point. We’re doing what we can. [The loss to Drake] was a good thing for us to see where we’re at, that we’ve still got a lot of stuff to work on.”

After the game Tuesday night, Hoiberg said, “We’re not as good as we think we are, that’s for sure,” and the players took it to heart.

“We’re not good enough to come out and not give 100 percent,” White said. “I think that’s what he was saying. And also, individually we have to come out with a certain mindset, and nobody is good enough individually to not come out and give 100 percent.”

In speaking with reporters Thursday, players all talked about how in order to improve defense and effort, communication among each other is going to be key.

“Overall, it’s got to be a one through five thing,” said guard Scott Christopherson. “Everybody that’s on the court has got to be talking.”

Many in attendance at the Drake game wondered about the offense and still wonder about Christopherson as the team’s point guard. Christopherson pointed to the defensive struggles as well in explaining the sputtering offense against Drake.

“Because our defense was so bad, we’re having to take the ball out of the basket all the time and we’re not about to get up and down in transition and kind of play the way we want to play,” Christopherson said. “I don’t think it’s necessarily a point guard thing.”

So heading into the matchup against Western Carolina, Hoiberg and his staff will attempt to refocus the Cyclone squad and get them playing together.

“It’s time to get to trusting each other, having each other’s back,” Hoiberg said. “Nobody had each other’s back at all the other night [on defense], and if it doesn’t improve it’ll be a long year for us.

“We’ve got to get back to the basics starting [Thursday] and we’ll go hard.”

The Cyclones tip off against Western Carolina at 12:30 p.m. Sunday at Hilton Coliseum.