Fans should enjoy the “Curtis Stinson Express” while they still can.

After recording the third triple-double in ISU history and earning Big 12 Player of the Week honors, speculation has never been higher about a possible Curtis Stinson jump from Hilton Coliseum to an NBA arena.

“I really myself believe he’ll play in the NBA and have a good career there, because he’s so tough and so cerebral, and he’s a winner,” ISU coach Wayne Morgan said.

The only real question is whether the jump from college to the pros will follow this season or the next.

Stinson said he is still committed to the ISU program, and Morgan said Stinson has expressed to him a desire to return for his senior season.

For now, the player said he is focused on his team.

“Right now, me leaving, or anything doesn’t matter,” Stinson said. “If we don’t win then I won’t get seen or anything. We have to win games and that’s what I worry about right now.

“Everything is right here, right now. Getting to the NCAA tournament, that’s the great feeling right there.”

Stinson is second in the Big 12 in conference scoring, averaging 20.9 points in eight league games.

After scoring just seven points against Texas and 14 at Texas Tech, Stinson has picked up his game, putting home 25.8 points in his last five contests.

That includes his 24-point, 10-rebound, 10-assist game against Colorado on Sunday.

The guard’s hot play should attract attention from professional scouts and Morgan would advise his star to listen to what they have to say.

“If the rest of the year he was playing at this level and it was decided by some people and they let it be known that he would be drafted in the first round for sure, then I would recommend he go,” Morgan said. “Then he could help take care of his family.”

As for Stinson, the opinion of his coach carries plenty of weight.

“They know – they’re head coaches,” Stinson said. “They’ve been in this for a long time so they know those things. We don’t know as players.”

Junior guard Will Blalock is in a similar position.

“I’ve thought about this lately because Stinson and Will [Blalock] are both juniors,” Morgan said. “It’s hard to even consider going into a game and not having those guys with me. Hopefully we’ll have another year with both of them.”

Blalock leads the Big 12 in assists, dishing out 6.4 dimes a game. He is also averaging 14.5 points each contest.

Although both players have professional potential, Stinson said the two would like to stay together as long as possible.

“Batman and Robin,” Stinson said. “That’s how we do.

“[Will’s] just like me – we don’t think about it because we’re here right now. We have to win here. We have another year here and then we can make a move after that.”

Iowa State’s next chance for a win comes Wednesday night at Kansas State, a team they have already beaten once this season. The Wildcats enter the game having lost their last three games, running their conference record to 3-5.

Kansas State will be without their head coach Jim Wooldridge, who will undergo surgery Wednesday to remove a bulging disc in his neck.

The game against Kansas State is also another chance for Stinson to show his game to the NBA scouts who are sure to be watching.

“Every player in college basketball, that’s their life dream,” Stinson said. “That’s what you want to do the rest of your life – play basketball.”

Game time is set for 6:30 p.m. in Manhattan, Kan.