When the ISU men’s basketball team travels to Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Friday, the Cyclones may be hoping that the same trend that seems to be developing with the wrestling team is also developing with the basketball team: The ISU wrestling team defeated Iowa at home last year and then beat the Hawkeyes again this year in Iowa City.

The ISU men’s basketball team also beat the Hawkeyes in Hilton Coliseum last year and will try to do the same on the Hawkeyes’ home court this year.

Each team has three players who may play a key part in the game, and, most likely, fans will get to see most of them match up with each other at some point in the game.

Iowa State Key Players

Sophomore guard Curtis Stinson — Stinson proved himself in the NIT, and all ISU faithful hope the former freshman phenom can avoid a sophomore slump. With the departure of Jake Sullivan, Stinson will be shouldering the load in terms of leadership. For Iowa State to have a chance, Stinson must be able to play and be able to do it at full strength, which may be a question after a slight shoulder injury scare earlier this season.

Sophomore guard Will Blalock — Blalock is going to have to step up his pace this year, especially against Iowa. The Hawkeyes have three starting guards who can score at will, and Blalock will have to play tremendous defense to have any chance at stopping them. Scoring more than the 7.5 points he averaged last year wouldn’t hurt either.

Senior center Jared Homan — The 6-foot-10-inch center will play the biggest role in determining a Cyclone win or a Cyclone loss. Iowa starts a fairly small lineup, and this will be a great advantage for Homan — one of the most prolific shot-blockers in ISU history. Because the Hawkeyes have at least two starting guards who are not afraid to drive to the basket, Homan could have a heyday.

Iowa Hawkeye Key Players

Junior guard Jeff Horner — The former Iowa Mr. Basketball from Mason City and team co-captain has increased his scoring output this season, leading Iowa to wins over two ranked opponents already this season. Horner may be Iowa State’s biggest concern on defense because of his ability to drive hard to the basket or step back and drain the three-point shot. Horner put up a then career-high 26 points against the Cyclones last year.

Junior guard Pierre Pierce — Although Pierce isn’t the purest of shooters, he is one of those slashing guards who loves to drive to the basket. The junior, who was well documented for his off-court problems two years ago, has the kind of quickness that will keep ISU guards on their toes on both the defensive and offensive ends of the court.

Junior forward Greg Brunner — Although Brunner is a natural forward, you may see him line up against Homan through much of the game. Starting center Erek Hansen has been getting in foul trouble early and forced to sit much of the first half on the bench. Although Brunner is only 6-foot-7, he played at center for most of last season and has done so off and on this season. If he is lined up against Homan, it could cause problems for the Cyclones. Brunner has range and could force Homan to step out of the lane more than he wants to, creating driving lanes for Iowa’s cutting guards.

Of course, one player all eyes will be on is sophomore guard Adam Haluska. Haluska has cracked the starting lineup for the Hawkeyes and this will be his first game playing on the same court with the Cyclones since he transferred from Iowa State two years ago.

So what’s the prediction?

Iowa State will continue the new wrestling/basketball trend this year. Horner will come up big, but the Cyclones will win, 75-68 with a surprise performance by Blalock.