More than three years ago, Rahshon Clark won his first game in Hilton Coliseum. On Saturday he’ll try to win his last.

After four seasons and 121 games, the senior from Queens, N.Y., along with fellow seniors Jiri Hubalek, Mark Currie and Mike Smith, will play his final game in front of Cyclone Alley and the Hilton faithful. It doesn’t seem that long.

“The season went by real fast. Four years went by fast,” Clark said. “It seems like just yesterday I was a freshman.”

Clark has grown a lot during his time in Ames – not just as a player, but as a person.

“Coming from New York here to Iowa, the atmosphere is different,” he said. “The people here love me, and it just made me a better person overall.”

Hubalek has come even further. A native of Prague, Czech Republic, Hubalek had to adjust to living and playing in a new country.

On the court, the center has taken great strides since his arrival at Iowa State from Marshalltown Community College. Hubalek used to be a jump-shooter who happened to be tall, but has developed into a low-post presence who happens to shoot well from outside. He has also had the chance to play against some of the best competition in the country.

“I’ve learned how to read the defense better, my post play [has improved], I’ve gotten stronger,” Hubalek said. “I’ve been able to face one of the best players in the United States each of the years.”

After Wayne Morgan was fired after the 2005-06 season, Clark, Hubalek and Currie were the only ones who stayed around to help rebuild the program. Smith transferred to Iowa State at the start of the 2006-07 season, McDermott’s first.

For coach Greg McDermott, that gives this senior day a little extra meaning.

“It means a lot [to me], and hopefully it means a lot to our fans, that they were willing to stick with our program during a time when they were probably smart enough to figure out there were going to be some tough times ahead,” McDermott said. “So, they’re here because they love Iowa State and they were committed to the program regardless of who was the coach, and I think that should tell our fans a little bit about what they’re all about.”

McDermott doesn’t believe in starting seniors on senior day unless they are regulars, so Smith and Currie will be on the bench unless there is a good opportunity to get them in the game. But that doesn’t mean McDermott and the team aren’t appreciative of what they’ve done.

“They show up every day in practice and work hard and perform on the scout team and give us good looks at what we are about to see for our next opponent,” McDermott said. “They really care about Iowa State – it means a lot to them to be able to wear the Iowa State uniform.”

Emotions will run high before tip-off, but being able to control them and concentrate will be important for a team still battling for seeding for the Big 12 Tournament.

But that doesn’t mean the seniors won’t be soaking in every moment. It will be the last time they’ll play at Hilton in front of the fans who helped draw them to Iowa State.

“I’m going to be sad, but I’m also going to be happy,” said Clark, who will be joined by his mother, Josephine Butler, in the pregame ceremony. “For one, the crowd is going to be out here supporting me as well as the other seniors on the team.”

That support could help send the quartet out on a high note. A win over Kansas State on senior day could help propel the Cyclones into the Big 12 Tournament and give them a memory they can be proud of forever.

“I think that should be the key – just have fun and leave it all out there,” said Hubalek, who will celebrate with his host family from his time at Marshalltown. “Don’t lose our last home game.”