Sean Haluska needed only one game to see what Alex Thompson could do.

Now, the junior has had 29 games to confirm what he first thought of Ames native Thompson two years ago.

“He’s a very good basketball player,” Haluska said. “His shot’s always been there and he just needs to stay confident.”

And ready. The 6-foot-10-inch, 235-pound junior from Ames could get more chances to showcase his shot this week with injuries to seniors Rahshon Clark and Jiri Hubalek.

Thompson, who enters Wednesday’s game against Missouri averaging 12.6 minutes per game, has rotated in with the pair throughout the year.

“They’re bound to have a couple of injuries here, and as a junior it’s my job to come out and have Jiri’s back whenever he’s not ready to go,” Thompson said.

He’s had more than just his teammate’s back. Thompson, who has spent most of the season coming off the bench, has slowly been working his way to getting into game shape. After transferring from the University of Iowa in 2006, the former Hawkeye sat out last season as a redshirt, spending most of his time scrimmaging against teammates in practice.

“Practice is practice,” he said. “You work hard, but it’s a different experience playing games all the time.”

This season he’s gotten plenty of experience. Thompson has played in all 29 games for the Cyclones this season, averaging 2.2 points and 2.1 rebounds per game. The rust from not playing in over a year started to come off Jan. 19, when the junior had a career high five rebounds and three blocks in the Cyclones’ 73-66 win over Oklahoma State.

“I think so many times, it just takes a little time for guys to make that adjustment,” said Cyclones’ assistant coach Jeff Rutter. “He went from a full season without playing, transferred schools, different systems, different teammates – it just takes some guys more time than others.”

Now, 29 games into the Cyclones’ season, Thompson thinks he’s gotten it, and just in time. With two games remaining on Iowa State’s regular season schedule, the Cyclones sit near the cellar of the Big 12 conference and hope to move up in the standings when they play this week against Missouri and Kansas State. Thompson could see more playing time than ever with injuries to Clark and Hubalek possibly keeping them on the bench.

“It’s a big opportunity for me,” Thompson said.

An even bigger opportunity will come in two weeks when the Cyclones travel to Kansas City for the Big 12 Tournament.

Two years ago, Thompson took advantage of his second conference tournament appearance when he hit a late second half three-pointer for the Hawkeyes to help secure a Big Ten Tournament title win over Ohio State.

In the stands was Haluska, who watched Thompson play alongside his brother Adam.

“He’s been there and he’s been a part of a winning conference tournament,” Haluska said.

“I think he’ll help our team that much more because he knows what it takes to get the job done.”

Thompson just hopes he can help the rest of his teammates make the most of this year’s opportunity.

“If we bring our ‘A’ game we could beat anybody on any given night and that’s what tournament time is all about,” said Thompson.

“That’s what’s exciting about it, that’s what’s fun about it. It’s just a matter of getting that first win. You get that first win and you get on a roll – anything can happen.”

Injury Update:

Rahshon Clark missed his first game of his career on Saturday against Colorado with a sore knee, and Jiri Hubalek sprained an ankle in the loss as well. Both are taking it day-to-day, and are questionable for Wednesday’s game at Missouri.