Following the ISU men’s basketball team’s 88-75 win Tuesday night at Nebraska, ISU guard Curtis Stinson had more on his mind than celebrating the Cyclones victory.

Stinson learned from his sister before the game that his mother had been rushed to a Bronx, NY, hospital after her heart stopped. She told Stinson that his mother wanted him to go out and play the game and not to worry.

He poured in 27 points and led the Cyclones to victory before returning home Wednesday to be with his mother.

ISU coach Wayne Morgan said Stinson will likely be back for Saturday’s tilt with the Texas A&M Aggies in Ames.

“Curtis will try to get back here late tonight or tomorrow,” Morgan said. “His mother is doing better and hopefully she can get out of the hospital sometime next week.”

Morgan did say, however, that nothing is set in stone for Stinson’s return and the Cyclones will be ready if they have to play without their star guard.

“Our game plans on a whole are generic,” Morgan said. “They aren’t that specific. Our game plan isn’t that we say ‘Curtis you have to shoot fifteen shots.’

“Mostly our game plans deal with defense. Obviously we want Curtis back and playing, but all of our guards can do it.

Will Blalock has done a tremendous job with leadership this year.”

In the meantime, the Cyclones (12-5, 2-2 Big 12) have focused their attention on the Aggies after celebrating their road victory over the Huskers.

“Nebraska was a game we felt we had to play well to win,” said ISU guard John Neal. “We didn’t want to start off the conference 1-3.”

The Aggies have begun a tremendous turnaround under second year coach Billy Gillispie.

Texas A&M advanced to the quarterfinals of the NIT last year under Gillispie after winning eight conference games last year. The Aggies come into Ames with an 11-4 record overall and a 1-3 conference record.

“They’ve got a real good coach that’s brought toughness to their team,” Neal said. “They rebound well and play defense. It was a tough game for us last year and it will be just as tough this year.”

Morgan echoed Neal’s sentiments on Texas A&M and praised them as a program that’s on the rise.

“I think Coach Gillispie has done a great job with them,” Morgan said. “I think they play a very bruising and physical type of basketball and that’s helped them get things going.”

The Aggies limp into Ames on a three-game losing streak in which they have lost all three games – at Oklahoma State, at home against Oklahoma and at Kansas State – by a combined five points, making them a dangerous team in Morgan’s eyes.

“I’m sure they’re going to come in here with their backs against the wall,” Morgan said. “They’re going to be trying to fight their way out.”

Tip-off is set for 12:45 p.m. at Hilton Coliseum.