The ISU men’s basketball team’s losing streak has grown to four and things aren’t getting any easier.

After Saturday’s 62-50 defeat at No. 12 Oklahoma State, the Cyclones (11-9, 2-4 Big 12) now travel to No. 10 Texas A&M.

“You know, looking back at the [Oklahoma State] game we sure found out in the second half just how good of a team Oklahoma State is and how tough of a place it is to play at the Gallagher Arena,” said coach Greg McDermott.

“We had a good practice yesterday in preparation for Texas A&M, and I’m not sure I can say enough positive things about Coach Gillespie and the job he and his staff have done.”

The Aggies (17-3, 5-1 Big 12) present a tough challenge for Iowa State, especially considering Iowa State’s recent struggles from the field.

The Cyclones have only shot more than 40 percent from the field once in their past four games, and go up against an Aggie team that ranks No. 1 in the nation in opponent field-goal percentage at 35 percent.

“They’re the best defensive team in the country right now, and statistics support that,” McDermott said.

“They play with such hunger and purpose. There’s a lot of teams out there who are very athletic and play with some hunger but maybe don’t always channel that into purposeful play.”

ISU forward Rahshon Clark said the Cyclones know they have to step up their offensive production and realize just how tough of a task that will be against the Aggies.

“They play tough defense just like any other team in the Big 12,” Clark said. “We just have to be tough with the ball when we play, make hard cuts and just play with discipline.

“As far as shooting goes, we need to get in the gym a little more. We don’t have good shooters like last year. Last year we had John Neal coming in keeping up our shooting percentage. We don’t really have that this year.”

Clark said better shot selection will help matters as well.

“As a whole we take some bad shots that we end up missing,” Clark said. “That also drops down our percentage. More good shots than bad shots and you’ll see our percentage go up a lot more.”

On the defensive end for the Cyclones, the attack will surround stopping senior guard Acie Law.

Law is the second leading scorer in the Big 12 in conference games, averaging nearly 17 points a game for the Aggies, and will be the spark plug for A&M’s offensive attack.

Wesley Johnson will have a little extra fun for the second straight game as the trip to Texas will be a homecoming of sorts for him.

Johnson, a Corsicana, Texas native, was offered a scholarship to A&M, but Johnson elected to head to Louisiana-Monroe, before a coaching change made him change his mind and head to prep school before landing in Ames.

Johnson said he expects some friends and family to be in attendance to see him play as was the case against Oklahoma State.

“My sister and my cousins came to the Oklahoma State game,” Johnson said. “I have a lot of family coming to the UT game.

“My mom is loving it though. She’s coming to see me play, but I’ve been away from her for about a year so I don’t really get to see her. When I get to see her it’s like my first time seeing her.”