ISU coach Bill Fennelly calls it a perfect storm. After watching Nebraska defeat Iowa State in early January, Fennelly said to his staff, ‘they may not lose a game’. So far the Huskers are living up to Fennelly’s prediction, sitting at a 23-0 record.

“I vote on the top 25 poll, and I’ve voted them second all year,” Fennelly said following the Baylor game. “No disrespect to Standford or Notre Dame but after I watched them play I do think they’re the second best team in the country.”

Iowa State fell to Nebraska at home 57-49 in the first meeting between the two teams. Four Huskers finished in double digits against the Cylones in Hilton Coliseum, showing early signs of consistency and efficiency that has continued since. Only one Iowa State player produced a double digit score in points when the Huskers traveled to Ames.

“They’re the most efficient women’s team that I’ve seen in our league in a long time,” Fennelly said. “They can play fast, they can play slow, they have a player that arguably may be playing better than any player in the country.”

Fennelly argues senior forward Kelsey Griffin is as well as any other women’s basketball player in the country. Griffin showed her excellence against Iowa State in the team’s first match up with a double-double and has been on fire ever since. Griffin ranks sixth in the nation in field goal percentage at 61.5 and leads the Huskers with 19.7 per game. Right behind Griffin is senior guard Yvonne Turner who Fennelly says is one of the best shooters in the country when the game is on the line. Turner averages 12.7 points per game and is shooting 41.9 percent from 3-point land.

Not to be forgotten are the three other probable starters for the perfect Husker storm — seniors Cory Montgomery, junior Dominique Kelley and freshman Lindsey Moore. An addition to the already dangerous starting lineup for Nebraska this season was newcomer Moore who is averaging 4.9 points, 2 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game. Montgomery and Kelley each average 12.5 points per game for the Husker offense.

It’s not just the NU offense that makes them a threat, their defense ranks third the nation in three point field goal defense, holding opponents to an average of 25.3 percent. The Cyclones fell victim to that defense previously in the season, shooting a dismal 16.7 percent from 3-point range.

“They have a great belief system in each other and their coaches and that’s how you keep winning games,” Fennelly said. “To their credit they’ve done everything they’ve needed to do to be a good team and to play at that level over 23 games says a lot about everyone involved in that program.”

Although Nebraska has remained undefeated this season, the Huskers most recent opponent gave them a bit of a wake up call. Nebraska was staring its first loss in the face with three minutes to play the team was down by six points. But, showing why they are one of the top team’s in the country, the Huskers found a way to battle back, keeping the second number in their record a zero.

“When you have an amazing year you win games that you maybe were on the ropes,” Fennelly said. “And that’s what good teams do, they find ways to win they don’t find ways to lose.”

Iowa State found its way to win previously in the season on the road against a top 25 team, Texas, and came away with victory. A win that could have been the highlight of the season, was instead a starting point for the Cyclones. While traveling to Austin has always been tough on Cyclone squads, a tough Husker environment likely awaits for the Top-15 clash.

“The last thing I told them when we left the locker room was how this is a great win for us, but I hope it’s not the highlight of our season,” Fennelly said after the Baylor game. “Let’s make it another starting point. Those are things that build your program and build your career, build the memories that we have.”

A Nebraska storm may be awaiting the No. 13 Cyclones, but Iowa State has stirred up a cyclone in recent Big 12 play. Three freshmen posts have stepped into the spotlight as of late, something Nebraska didn’t see in Hilton Coliseum in the first contest between the conference opponents. Another starting point presented itself on Saturday as Iowa State dismantle Baylor in Ames, and will turn around to convert that energy in Lincoln. Previously in the season Fennelly was hoping for one post to have a standout performance each game, but against the Bears, all three were on.

Playing in Lincoln has been a challenge for Cyclone squads in previous years, and last year marked the first road win against the Huskers since 2003. But

“It is probably the most difficult situation our team will play in all year and it comes at a time when we’re playing well,” Fennelly said. “I hope our players are excited for the challenge.”