For the second consecutive season, the ISU men’s basketball team returns a duo of sophomore stars.

After watching Curtis Stinson and Will Blalock blossom as freshman during the 2003-04 season, the Cyclones got another set of young stars for last year.

Rahshon Clark and Tasheed Carr return for their sophomore seasons, armed with the confidence and knowledge a full season in the Big 12 affords.

“We know what it takes to win games,” Clark said. “We know how tough it is.”

They will use that experience to improve on their strong freshmen showings.

“It benefits me tremendously,” Carr said. “I know what to expect on and off the court so it will help me out a whole bunch this year.”

Blalock knows how much a year of play can help, and after showing Clark and Carr the ropes last season he is watching them do the same after their initial campaigns.

“You feel a whole lot more comfortable and have a lot more confidence because you already know what it takes to win,” Blalock said.

Clark started 20 games last season for the Cyclones, averaging 7.3 points per game and playing stifling defense. He was second on the team in blocked shots and third in steals.

Carr was the most consistent three-point threat for the Cyclones, coming off the bench to connect on 28 shots from long range.

“Once I got out there I got confidence and started to grow,” Carr said.

Carr came off the bench against Texas last season to hit five three-pointers and score 22 while leading the Cyclones to an upset win on the Longhorn home floor.

With that experience, the sophomore combination will be looked at to provide more then just good play.

“They ain’t freshmen anymore,” Blalock said. “They got a whole lot better over the summer. They have been contributing with the learning process of the freshmen.

“They’re upperclassmen now even though they’re sophomores. They know a whole lot more then the guys who haven’t played a lick of college ball yet.”

Clark said his expectations for the season are simple.

“Just go out every night and play hard,” Clark said. “I have a lot of expectations but the biggest thing is to go out every night and play hard.”

Both players spend their offseason improving their individual games.

Clark said he worked on his ball handling and shooting, as well as spending time in the weight room. Last season, he led the Cyclones by shooting three-pointers at a 40 percent pace.

Carr also spent time shooting, but worked to round out his game, making it more complete.

“The main thing I worked on was my overall play,” Carr said. “Just making plays, handling the ball, being effective with the ball.

“That’s a part of my game that I didn’t get to show last year. It was mainly me receiving and shooting. I worked on it being me making the plays and me being the one making decisions with the ball.”

An addition of that skill would give the Cyclones three players who could handle the ball and create their own shots.

“I’m going to make a lot more plays with the ball in my hands,” Carr said. “Whether it’s offensive or defensive, I’m going to do whatever it takes. Everything this summer I’ve gotten better at. I’m going to improve and do better this year.”

The additional responsibility is something that both players are ready to take on.

“We both have the heart and the will to do it and we’ve never backed down from challenges,” Carr said.

Carr and Clark feed off each other both on and off the court, sharing a friendship that started as soon as they reached Ames.

“We’re great friends off the court,” Clark said. “On the court, off the court we’re really close. He was the first person I met when we got here and we clicked right then.”