The Big 12 rarely features an easy win, but Saturday’s game against Texas Christian (TCU) could be the closest thing to that for Iowa State.

The Cyclones (18-5, 7-3 Big 12) enter Saturday’s contest having won four games in a row and six of their last seven. TCU (16-6, 4-5 Big 12) on the other hand, has lost two of its last three games. The Horned Frogs have been outscored 242-199 in those three games.

The Big 12 standings are wide open, but that’s not the focus right now, said coach Steve Prohm.

“We’re just taking it a game at a time,” Prohm said. “That’s all the focus is on. We’ve got a week off next week which is great … it’s one game at a time. You can’t get too high and you can’t get too low.”

Iowa State’s 7-3 record in league play is good for sole possession of second place. Kansas State (7-2) is the only team above the Cyclones.

TCU gives Iowa State another chance at a home win, something Prohm said is crucial for staying in the Big 12 race.

“One thing that will go a long way is winning home games,” Prohm said. “That’s what we have [Saturday]. We expect an unbelievable crowd and hopefully we’ll come play with great energy.”

TCU has held its own at home this season, but the road has been a different story. The Horned Frogs are 0-5 on the road in Big 12 play. Their lone road win all season came at Southern Methodist (SMU) by eight points. SMU is currently 12-10.

Iowa State’s team defense will have to be strong against TCU. Led by senior guard Alex Robinson, TCU assists on 63 percent of its made field goals. That’s the sixth-highest percentage in the country.

That has led to a balanced attack from TCU. Not counting the injured (and transferring) Jaylen Fisher, TCU has four players averaging at least 10 points per game.

“It’s a lot of spread ball-screens,” Prohm said. “Alex Robinson is terrific in ball-screen offense. He’s a huge key to the game. We’ve got to be great in ball-screen defense, we’ve got to be great in transition, we’ve got to finish plays against them.”

Against TCU, Iowa State’s defensively versatility could be a factor. The Cyclones generally switch on most ball-screens, meaning the ability to switch with a four-guard lineup could be effective against Robinson and the Horned Frogs’ perimeter players.

Offensively, the Cyclones should get plenty of shots. TCU is among the worst defensive teams in the Big 12. In Big 12 games, the Horned Frogs rank seventh in the Big 12 in defensive rebounding percentage and ninth in turnover percentage, according to KenPom.

TCU also allows Big 12 teams to shoot 54.7 percent from inside the arc, which ranks ninth in the Big 12.