It has been 17 trips from Ames since the ISU men’s basketball team defeated Kansas State 62-51 and won its last Big 12 Conference game on the road, but the Cyclones will try to change that Saturday when they travel to Boulder, Colo., to face Colorado.

“I’ve been here two years and haven’t won a Big 12 road game,” junior center Jared Homan said. “It’s just really frustrating and embarrassing for myself. I think we really have a lot to prove on the road this year. If you want to be in the upper echelon of the Big 12, you have to be able to win on the road.”

Iowa State will have its hands full with a 9-5 Colorado team that’s 1-1 in conference play.

“Colorado, over the last two years, has one of the best records at home. It’s going to be very competitive,” head coach Wayne Morgan said.

The Cyclones will also have to adjust to the thinner air in the high altitude, known to cause fits for visiting teams.

“Going to Colorado in the altitude is tough, but I think we’re in good enough shape where we can run up and down the court and hopefully not get fatigued,” Homan said.

Iowa State is currently 10-2 on the season and 2-0 in Big 12 play with its only two losses coming on the road at Virginia and at San Diego State.

“It’s going to be a challenge for us. It’s been a long time since we’ve won [a Big 12 road game] so that is our goal,” senior guard Jake Sullivan said. “It’s almost impossible to win on the road. You have to play a perfect game on the road to win. That’s what we have to do when we go up there.”

After a summer of coaching changes and off-court problems, some are surprised to see the Cyclones sitting at 10-2.

Morgan said the team is where it is because of a lot of hard work.

“Last spring, I thought if we could keep our team together and get our recruits to come, we had the chance to be a good team,” Morgan said. “You have to give credit to our guys, they’ve worked extremely hard pulling this together. When the ball goes up, they’re doing the playing. They’ve done a good job.”

The Buffaloes are led by junior center David Harrison, who is averaging 17.5 points and 9.1 rebounds per game.

Since both have very physical styles of play, Harrison and Homan have had some interesting interactions matching up against each other in the last two years.

In a Feb. 13, 2002, home game against the Buffaloes, Homan was ejected for leaving the bench when an altercation started among former ISU coach Larry Eustachy, Harrison and Harrison’s older brother, D.J.

“Let’s put it this way, I’m excited. I’m looking forward to the challenge,” Homan said. “Dave is a great player and we always have a great match when we go against each other so I’m looking forward to that.”

Homan said he and Harrison try to let their actions speak for themselves.

“We try to let our play talk more than our words, but every now and then you’ll get a word or two in,” Homan said. “It’s just competition, going at it with each other. Once the game’s over, it’s done. Shake hands.”

Iowa State is coming off a 89-63 home win Monday over Northern Colorado. Colorado beat Nebraska 68-60 Wednesday.

The Cyclones’ next home game is Wednesday when they host intrastate rival Iowa.

Morgan said he hopes his team isn’t looking that far ahead, instead focusing on the Buffaloes.

“Colorado is a big game and it’s a really big conference game,” Morgan said. “In essence, conference games are more important than non-league games.”