It was just a few years ago that Jake Sullivan was the mysterious freshman who came to Iowa State under high expectations with an opportunity to make an immediate impact on the Cyclones.

And that turned out pretty well as Sullivan is know the leading scorer on the Cyclones.

Freshman Adam Haluska has found himself in that same situation, as one of the most highly- praised players to come out of Iowa high schools last year, where he averaged 30 points his senior year at Carroll.

But he hasn’t been getting much help from Sullivan on how to handle this new life.

“I don’t think there is anything you can really do,” Sullivan said. “I think be there for him, keep his head up. It’s a huge adjustment and I’m just there for him if he needs me. A lot of it you have to go through on your own and figure out your own answers.”

One of the first answers Haluska has had to figure out is why Larry Eustachy holds practice at 5 a.m.

“It’s a Division I school now and practices are going to be a lot tougher,” Haluska said. “I think [Eustachy] just wants to get the most out of us that he can, and I think he’s doing a really good job at it.”

Good answer.

Eustachy has decided to challenge Haluska but knows not to apply too much pressure given his age and inexperience.

“I think he has a ton of talent, but he’s a freshman and expectations can be blown out of proportion for him,” Eustachy said.

He’s not nearly at the level of [Missouri forward] Ricky Paulding or some of these guys and he shouldn’t be. We really need him to play like a sophomore, not a freshman, for us to have a better chance to win.”

Eustachy likes the raw talent that Haluska brings to the table but recognizes that everyone will need to be patient with him.

“He hasn’t had the luxury of playing stiff competition night in and night out,” Eustachy said. “He’s behind when it comes to summer play because he broke his foot two years ago. He is gong to have some tough outings, that’s just how it is.”

As far as living up to the hype and impacting the program the way Sullivan and others have, Eustachy knows he can do it as long as everything falls into place.

“I think he’s got the physical ability and the skills and the mental makeup to be one of the better players that’s been here in a while, and that will be up to him,” Eustachy said. And that’s what he wants, we’re on the same page with that.”

Haluska’s natural position is a two guard, which is where he will see much of his action. But he will probably play some point guard and log some minutes at small forward as well.

“I can see me at the off-guard position,” Haluska said.

“I think with my height and athleticism that would be a good spot for me. I hope I can contribute to the team in a bunch of ways, just whatever coach wants me to do to.”

A pure shooter and a fast runner, Haluska has already begun to build the qualities of a successful ISU ball player. His weaknesses, however, are key points to Eustachy’s usual game plan.

“My defense and rebounding, those are the biggest things that coach emphasizes,” Haluska said. “In high school, you really didn’t have to play defense as hard and rebounding came easy so now I’m really having to work at it.”

Haluska also said he wants to work on his mental toughness and becoming a better all around basketball player.

Time will tell.