It’s no secret that the ISU offense doesn’t score many points, but lost in the shuffle of low-scoring games is the fact that the ISU defense ranks second in the Big 12. The Cyclones give up an average of 63.6 points per game, ranking just behind Nebraska. They have given up just 46 ppg in their last two home games.

“I think you win basketball games long term on defense. So if I had to be sitting in one situation or the other right now, I’d rather be a team that’s bought into the importance of the defensive end of the floor, and we’ll keep working and working to try to find ways to make offense easier for them then be a team that can score 80 points but can’t keep the other team from scoring 80,” head coach Greg McDermott said.

The Cyclones have lost every game this season when they’ve given up more than 70 points(0-8).. When keeping teams under 70, the Cyclones are 13-6.

One reason the Iowa State has been able to keep so many opponents under 70 points is because coach McDermott stresses to his team the importance of not giving up transition baskets after misses.

“Opposing offenses aren’t able to score against our defense in the first 15 seconds of the shot clock. Their not running down and getting an easy basket right away,” McDermott said.

McDermott said that Kansas State made 4 or 5 shots on Saturday with less than three seconds on the shot clock — which is unheard of.

“As a coach that’s what I want our defense to do. I want to take away their first option and their second option on that possession and make them do something that they don’t want to do offensively. For the most part this season we’ve been able to accomplish that,” McDermott said.

Staiger not struggling in practice

Lucca Staiger’s shooting woes are befuddling the ISU coaching staff.

“Staiger didn’t miss a shot in practice yesterday,” McDermott said during Monday’s press conference.

Staiger went 1-of-7 from the arc against Kansas State on Saturday, with a majority of the misses coming on wide-open looks.

“That’s a strange deal,” McDermott said. “I’ve had guys go into shooting slumps before but usually it carries over on to the practice floor and you’re trying to get him out of it. But Lucca’s continued to shoot it well in practice, and it’s my belief that he’s going to come out of this.”

Staiger is tied for ninth on Iowa State’s single-season 3-pointers made list, but has struggled to a .313 shooting percentage from 3-point land in Big 12 play. McDermott said he doesn’t think it is a mental issue.

“He had a couple that rattled in and popped out, and I think he needs one of those to go his way,” McDermott said. “And for the most part he continues to take good shots. Obviously when you are making shots at a consistent basis in practice, as a coaching staff you are going to try and get those guys shots on game night.”

Peterson to join staff next season

Senior guard Bryan Petersen has already agreed to be a graduate assistant on the Cyclone staff next season.

“He’s a good player, and I think he has the chance to be an even better coach because he’s got a great feel for the game,” McDermott said.

The Clinton native has started every game in his two-year ISU career after spending his first two seasons playing at Kirkwood Community College.

-Chris Conetzkey

contributed to this story