KANSAS CITY, Mo. — For the ISU men’s basketball team, the slate has been wiped clean.

The regular season ups and downs are behind it, and the only goal in mind is bringing home a Big 12 tournament trophy.

“This is something as a little kid you look forward to,” said freshman guard Tasheed Carr. “I’m looking forward to going out there and playing as hard as possible. Hopefully we can go out there and continue to win.”

The Cyclones open the tournament against No. 12 seed Baylor.

Iowa State enters the tournament holding the No. 5 seed, riding a streak that has seen it win nine of its last 11 games.

Baylor, on the other hand, is last in the Big 12, sporting just one conference win — the Bears beat Colorado 67-59 on Jan. 19.

“Baylor is at the bottom of the conference, but they’re still a tough team,” said ISU center Jared Homan. “Their backs are against the wall; they have to win this tournament to get into postseason play. That’s a very dangerous team.”

The Cyclones beat Baylor 77-51 in Ames this season, but ISU players said they are ready to face a much better Bear team.

“I thought last time they played [us] they were tired, so I think we’ll get a much better game,” said ISU coach Wayne Morgan.

Five Cyclones scored in double figures in that game, led by Rahshon Clark’s 19. Iowa State had 14 steals and shot 52.5 percent.

Even though Baylor comes into the game at the bottom of the conference, anything can happen during the game, as the month of March has already shown.

Baylor is led by freshman Aaron Bruce, who averages 18.4 points per game. Three other Baylor starters also average in double figures.

“Baylor’s going to come in and give it their all,” Carr said. “It’s tournament time and anything can happen. We’re prepared to go out there and play the hardest basketball we’ve ever played.”

With the regular season complete, several Cyclone players were honored by Big 12 coaches.

Sophomore guard Curtis Stinson was named to the all-Big 12 second team, and Homan was placed on the third team.

Carr was named to the Big 12 all-reserve team, and Will Blalock and Homan were named to the all-underrated squad. Stinson was also named to the all-defensive team after finishing the season second in the league in steals.

Even with the pressure of a tournament bid on the table, the team appears relaxed and confident.

“This is what it’s about. It’s about having fun,” Carr said. “As a team, we feel no pressure. We want to take it one day at a time, one game at a time. We want to go out there and let it all hang out on the court, give it our all, leave it all on the court.

“At the end of the day, basketball is supposed to be fun — you’re supposed to enjoy it. That’s what we’re doing and that’s a part of the reason why we’ve been successful.”

Opening-round game time is set for 2 p.m. Thursday at Kemper Arena.