Locked in its toughest stretch of the season, things don’t get any easier for the ISU men’s basketball team when it faces Oklahoma on Tuesday.

Iowa State has lost its last two games – a disappointing blowout to Missouri one week ago and a hard-fought defeat at Texas on Saturday.

Oklahoma started the season slow, carrying just an 8-4 record into Big 12 play. But since the conference season has started, the Sooners have found their stride, posting a 6-4 mark, good for fifth in the league.

Now at 15-8 overall, Oklahoma is within shouting distance of the NCAA tournament, all under first-year coach Jeff Capel.

“Oklahoma is playing extremely well right now,” said ISU coach Greg McDermott. “Jeff [Capel] has them moving in the right direction, and it starts with their defense.”

A big contributing factor to the Sooners’ good play as of late has been Nate Carter.

After averaging only four points a game in Oklahoma’s nonconference schedule, Carter is putting home more than 19 points per Big 12 game.

“If we had 16 points per game show up, we would look a little better as well,” McDermott said. “He’s given them another weapon, and that has really made their offense hard to stop.”

Carter is complemented by outside sharpshooter Michael Neal (10.3 ppg) and inside presence Longar Longar (11.8 ppg). The three combine to lead an offense that can score from almost anywhere on the basketball court.

“It’ll be a heck of a challenge for us because they are playing with a lot of confidence, and I think they are moving closer to that NCAA bubble, and all these games are important to them,” McDermott said.

This game is also critical for the Cyclones.

Iowa State is riding a two-game losing streak and needs something positive to build on during the season’s final stretch.

A win against Oklahoma could be that spark for the Cyclones, who played well in the second half against Texas on Saturday.

The Cyclones were down 19 at halftime, but clawed their way back into the game, pushing Texas’ advantage down inside double digits before losing 77-68.

Once again Iowa State’s Mike Taylor, Wesley Johnson and Jiri Hubalek played well, but no other Cyclone stepped up.

Of the five Cyclones who made field goals against Texas, only three of them hit more than one shot. Taylor, Johnson and Hubalek combined for 23 of Iowa State’s 25 field goals.

Starters Corey McIntosh and Rahshon Clark didn’t make a shot.

With no one else stepping up, Iowa State’s top three players are being counted on to shoulder more of the load.

“I need to do everything in my power, whatever the team needs me to do,” Hubalek said. “Whatever it takes, I’m going to do it.”