The ISU men’s basketball team has had a week off since its victory in the American Family Insurance BTI Cyclone Challenge, and the team is refreshed as it looks toward its matchup with Norfolk State on Sunday afternoon.

The Cyclones (3-0) had an interesting three-game stretch that saw them win games by margins of eight, 28 and two points during the three-day tournament.

“Ideally it would’ve been better to play a game, and then play again three or four days later,” said head coach Greg McDermott. “That gives you a chance to practice and correct some of the mistakes and then put it out under the lights.

“But there were parts of each game that we played extremely well. All-in-all, now that it’s over, I think it was good for our team.”

The tournament gave ISU fans their first look at junior transfer Mike Taylor who stole the show, earning MVP honors by averaging 17 points and five rebounds per game.

However, Taylor was plagued by turnovers at times, committing eight in the first game against UC Riverside.

“I feel good out there,” Taylor said. “I was anxious to be out there on the floor for the first time. I got going a little too fast.

“But we learned a lot. Especially from the first night, I had like five carrying calls. We learned a lot turnover-wise last weekend.”

And while it may be true that “speed kills,” McDermott said Taylor just has to play within himself.

“Mike has to make plays for us without question,” McDermott said. “We’re going to have to take some of the bad with the good. He’s going to make some mistakes, and we’re just trying to teach him how to make some better reads. We have to cut down those turnovers, no question, and Mike’s aware of that.”

Taylor said he realizes McDermott is right and said he just tries to use his speed when he sees an opportunity open up.

“Sometimes, though, I see an advantage and that’s why I take off so fast,” Taylor said. “Every time I look at coach in transition he’s pumping his hands going ‘slow down, slow down.'”

Iowa State takes on the Norfolk State Spartans at 1 p.m. this Sunday inside Hilton Coliseum.