Iowa State’s first test of the regular season just got a lot harder.

With sophomore guard Curtis Stinson already nursing a sore shoulder, the Cyclones will take on in-state rival Drake without the services of Will Blalock.

Blalock, the team’s sophomore point guard, was suspended for participating in a non-certified summer league game in August.

The loss of Blalock leaves a hole in Iowa State’s backcourt, as the sophomore is the Cyclones’ leading ball handler and floor general.

“Will Blalock made a mistake,” said ISU head coach Wayne Morgan. “A mistake that he’s going be penalized for. We are all together supporting him. We will go on from there.”

Blalock scored 24 points in the Cyclones’ win over EA Sports, leading the team with Stinson on the bench. With Blalock out and Stinson on the mend, someone will have to pick up the slack.

“It will hurt with Will being gone,” said senior center Jared Homan. “He’s the one who handles the ball, and someone will have to step up and help handle the ball. They can’t make freshman mistakes.”

If both Blalock and Stinson are out, point guard duties will probably fall to freshman Tasheed Carr or seldom-used senior Dave Braet.

Even though Stinson sat out the EA Sports game, Homan said that was more for precautionary measures than because of the seriousness of the injury.

“He’s still sore, but he’ll play through it,” Homan said. “He’s a tough kid, and he will try to be ready to play.”

Stinson and Blalock led Iowa State with 14 points in the Cyclones’ first exhibition game against Bemidji State, with Stinson adding nine rebounds and eight assists.

A shoulder problem also kept junior college transfer Anthony Davis out of Iowa State’s final exhibition game.

“They’ve got to work, and they’ve got to rehab,” Morgan said of his injured players. “There are parts of their bodies they have to get stronger. We can’t risk damaging any of those kids.”

The injuries and suspension will give several of Iowa State’s newcomers a chance to gain valuable experience early in the season.

“A lot of those guys will have a chance to play and see some minutes,” Homan said. “We’ll use our depth to our advantage. They will get a chance to score and rebound and immediately contribute.”

Drake is 1-0 on the season, taking out Akron in its home opener. Head coach Tom Davis will lead his Bulldogs into Hilton Coliseum for the first time as the Drake coach.

The Cyclones beat Drake 83-77 one year ago.

“Obviously, it’s a big game,” Homan said. “It’s our first real game of the year that will count for our record.”

Homan also said the game means a little more for the three homegrown members of the ISU team.

Homan, Braet and junior John Neal are the only three Cyclones from Iowa.

“There’s a lot that goes into it for the Iowa guys,” Homan said. “The other guys haven’t really experienced it, but, once game time rolls around, they’ll understand. A lot of people will be talking, and there will be a lot of people there. The other guys will get the picture quick.”