Greg McDermott is getting one player back but is still waiting for another to return to form.

ISU men’s basketball (2-2, 0-0) host Northern Iowa (4-1, 0-0) at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Hilton Coliseum and should have the services of sophomore guard Wesley Johnson for the first time this season. Meanwhile, junior guard Sean Haluska hopes to jump-start his season.

“Shooters go through stuff like this,” Haluska said. “It’s just something that I’m going to get out of.”

What he hopes to get out of is a shooting slump that has seen the Carroll native connect for only 2 points this season. A junior college transfer from Indian Hills Community College, Haluska averaged 8.2 points per game for the Warriors last season. This year, he’s managed only one basket, against Centenary on Nov. 10. He’s shooting 1 of 18 on the season in what he says is the worst slump he’s ever been through.

“I have not gone through anything this bad before,” Haluska said. “But I’m confident that I’m going to get out of it and everything is going to be all right.”

Tuesday night, Haluska and the rest of the Cyclones will play a Panther team that allows an average of only 59 points per game.

They’re also riding the offense of senior guard Jared Josten, who took over the starting point guard role after sophomore Kwadzo Ahelegbe tore a labrum in his right shoulder, sidelining him for the remainder of the season. Josten, meanwhile, is averaging 13.2 points per game and is shooting 60 percent from 3-point range.

“Jared Josten is doing a fabulous job running the point given the fact that it’s not his natural position and there’s been a lot of pressure thrown at him to run this team,” McDermott said.

Pressure will be taken off some of the Cyclones as Johnson returns after missing the first four games of the season. Johnson, who averaged 12.3 points and 7.9 rebounds per game last season, has been hampered with an injured foot. McDermott said Johnson, who isn’t listed in the starting lineup, would not look like the Johnson of the last season. Still, teammates are excited about his presence back on the court.

“He’s a great player,” said senior center Jiri Hubalek. “It definitely helps everybody on the team to have him back. You’ve got a lot of talent and he can bring a lot of things you might have been lacking in the last few games.”

One thing the Cyclones are missing is Johnson’s shooting – something Haluska hopes to fix until Johnson returns to full strength.

“I’m positive that I’m going to get out of it,” Haluska said of his slump.

“I think the biggest thing is once I hit one I’m going to be in a groove and I’m going to be all right. I’ve just got to get that one to fall and I’ll be in good shape.”