A hangover is the “[d]isagreeable physical effects (as headache or nausea) following heavy consumption of alcohol or the use of drugs,” according to Webster’s Dictionary. In the sports world, it’s a mental and physical lapse after playing a high-caliber or rival team.

Two Saturdays ago, Iowa State played well in a loss on national television against rival Kansas and followed that up with one of its worst performances of the season against Colorado. Now the Cyclones are coming off a great team effort in a loss against the now second-ranked Sooners and will try to avoid the proverbial hangover game against Kansas State.

“You only play 30 a year. If you can’t get excited for all 30, then you don’t have a pulse. This is what you work for year round,” coach Greg McDermott said. “We don’t view one any different than the others.”

In his two-plus seasons at Iowa State, Greg McDermott is 4-6 following games against top-25 teams but is only 1-5 on the road in those contests.

“Every game in the Big 12 is a big time opportunity for us to get a huge win. So, you have to take every game, as special to everybody — I think everybody gets up for every game, and it’s the Big 12 so you have to get up for every game, because every team is capable,” guard Sean Haluska said.

The Cyclones can’t afford to take any team lightly at this point, because they’re in the midst of a four-game losing streak and find themselves with a crowd in last place in the conference at 1-5.

McDermott assured reporters on Monday his team and coaching staff stay just as motivated for games against Kansas State as they do against anybody. He also said that losses don’t linger in the heads of his players.

“I think these guys bounce back from tough times quicker than their coaches do,” McDermott said.

Road woes at K-State

Ready or not, Manhattan, Kan., has not been a friendly place for the Cyclones lately. The Wildcats have won seven straight versus the Cyclones at home and five straight overall.

Last season was Kansas State’s most successful team in recent history with first-round NBA draft picks, Michael Beasley and Bill Walker, running the show. Their one year on campus has temporarily brought life back to Bramlage Coliseum.

Kansas State creeped in at No. 25, two spots below Iowa State, in average attendance for the 2007-08 season — a feat that hasn’t been accomplished at Kansas State since it has been keeping attendance rankings.

“It was imposing last year because they were very, very talented and they played extremely well,” McDermott said.

Staiger had stinger

Coach McDermott said Lucca Staiger will play Tuesday despite not practicing Sunday after hurting his shoulder.

Staiger collided with Taylor Griffin early in the second half of the Oklahoma game and fell to the floor in pain. After a few minutes in the locker room, he came back into the game and made a huge 3-point shot that temporarily gave the Cyclones the lead. McDermott said Staiger just had a stinger in his left shoulder but is ready to go.