The ISU men’s basketball team continues its tour of the Big 12 on Wednesday, as the Cyclones go from one extreme in the conference to the other.

Just four days ago, the Cyclones fell in overtime to arguably the best team in the league – then sixth-ranked Kansas – and now faces arguably the worst in Colorado (4-9, 0-3 Big 12).

The Buffaloes’ smallest margin of defeat in their three conference games is 18.

Not quite a power.

Even though all indications are that the Cyclones should breeze through the Buffaloes, ISU coach Greg McDermott knows his team can’t take anything for granted.

Colorado’s season is far worse then its record indicates. Coach Ricardo Patton announced before the season that he will be stepping down when the year is done but would still coach the team.

One of the few bright spots for Colorado is Richard Roby. The Buffalo junior is averaging 18 points per game and is the main offensive threat.

Iowa State’s main task will be to keep up Saturday’s level of play.

The Cyclones took the Jayhawks down to the wire before losing in overtime 68-64 – their first loss in three overtime games this year.

“We just came into the game playing Cyclone basketball, the way we’ve been playing the last few games,” ISU guard Mike Taylor said.

Iowa State has struggled with starting strongly in either half, which McDermott is making a major point of emphasis against Colorado.

The first-year coach said he believes the first five minutes of the game and the first five minutes after halftime are crucial to a team’s success. Kansas won both of those five-minute periods in Saturday’s game.

“We were dominated out of the gates, trailing 8-2 and then out of the lockerroom to turn a three-point deficit into a three-point lead for them,” McDermott said about the Kansas game. “That’s something we can’t allow to happen.”

Iowa State was also out-rebounded 52-36 by the Jayhawks. Despite Wesley Johnson’s ninth double-double (14 points, 11 rebounds) of the season, the Cyclones struggled to control the glass.

Much of that, McDermott said, can be explained by Iowa State’s lack of size down low.

“We’re pretty slight in our build across the board,” McDermott said.