Iowa State’s 64-63 victory against Colorado last Saturday saw the Cyclone snap a three-game losing streak, as well as a return to form by forward Craig Brackins.

But despite the victory, old habits still surfaced.

As has been the case throughout the conference season, the Cyclones struggled to find a rhythm early in the first half, allowing the Buffaloes to go up by as much as 14.

“Obviously we have some issues starting games we have to figure out and we either have to make a change in our preparation or make a change in our lineup,” said coach Greg McDermott.

Similar scoring droughts this season have cost the Cyclones, including losses against Texas and Oklahoma.

“I think we try to make home run plays in the beginning,” said Brackins, who is coming off a 27 point, 13 rebound performance. “We have to slow down. Pass fake a couple, don’t try to force the and I think we’ll be alright.”

A strong start will be a necessity on Wednesday when the Cyclones head to Waco, Texas to take on the surging Baylor Bears (16-4, 3-3 in the Big 12). After beginning the season 13-1, Baylor stumbled at the start of conference play, dropping three out of four games. The Bears broke out of their slump in a big way on Saturday with an 80-77 upset victory over No. 6 Texas.

“There are teams you look at and say ‘I think they are quite a bit better than their conference record’ and I think Baylor is one of those teams,” McDermott said.

Baylor is strongly aided by the scoring efforts of guards LaceDarius Dunn and Tweety Carter. Dunn and Carter average 18.4 and 17.3 points per game, putting them at fourth and seventh in scoring in the Big 12.

While the Bears have the ability to put up offensive numbers, the team’s hallmark this season has been its defense.

Baylor has held teams to an average of 63.8 per game and has racked up a Big 12 leading 150 blocks to go along with a rebounding average of 41.5, which trails only Kansas and Texas.

“They have really committed to a 2-3 zone and they have caused havoc for a lot of teams they have played with their ability to turn you over with their length,” McDermott said. “That’s something that is difficult for us to simulate in practice with the roster we have now.”

The anticipation of Baylor’s suffocating defense raises a red flag for the Cyclones, who shot 8-for-25 from the field in the first half against Colorado before recovering to make 13-of-24 in the second.

“For us to win at Baylor we will have to shoot better than we did against Colorado,” McDermott said bluntly.

Iowa State is still trying to adjust to the addition to guard Scott Christopherson, who went from being a role player off the bench to having to fill the vacancy left behind by the recent departure of Lucca Staiger.

If the inconsistencies continue McDermott said he might have to go to the bench sooner in games than in the past.

The Cyclones may have received a glimpse at a potential cure to their recent scoring woes after Brackins’ outburst against Colorado echoed the stat-stuffing performance he turned out last season. Brackins has faced increased onslaught of double teams this season and has struggled at times to maintain a consistent offensive touch.

“I think the Colorado game was good for him. I think it was a boost of confidence that hey ‘if I get opportunities, if I work hard my teammates will get me the ball and I can beat some of those double teams,’” Brackins said.

Brackins showed a relaxed consistency on Saturday that had been absent in games past, where he could become visibly agitated as his inconsistencies persisted.

“It’s only frustrating because I haven’t really adjusted to it yet,” Brackins said. “I think I’m rushing and letting myself get frustrated. I need to start taking my time and figure it out.”

Iowa State will need the recharged Brackins and a more consistent offense if it wants to keep alive any postseason hopes.

“We know that every game from now on is a must win and we’re approaching it that way in practice,” Brackins said. “I think we’ll be alright. I think we’re hungry and ready to play.”