ISU freshman point guard Ricky Morgan came to Iowa State from Pontiac, Mich., as one of the most recruited high school players in the country.

By his own admittance and ISU head coach Larry Eustachy’s agreement, Morgan started off the season poorly, considering his credentials coming in.

But much like Eustachy’s prediction for his entire team, Morgan has improved immensely over the last few weeks as the Cyclones have won three of their last four, moving them to 4-10 in the Big 12 and 12-16 overall.

“I’m a lot more confident and my teammates have confidence in me, and that always helps,” Morgan said. “I think that’s the reason I’m playing better.”

In the Cyclone’s three wins since Feb. 13, Morgan’s assist-to-turnover ratio is an astonishing 22-5, a far cry from his performances early in the season.

“The team looks smoother with Ricky at the point,” Eustachy said. “That’s not a knock on anybody else that tries it. He’s the most comfortable player with the ball on our team.”

Eustachy and Morgan both admit things haven’t been easy for Morgan. Along with trying to take the helm of a struggling team in the midst of a season in the Big 12, Morgan has also had to deal with life in general.

As a true freshman trying to adapt to basketball, classes and social life, Morgan also has a kid and a girl in Michigan.

Jasmine Ashauntay, his three-year-old daughter, has remained an intricate part of his life since her birth when he was 16.

“Lesser men would have been back in Pontiac with how hard it’s been for him,” Eustachy said. “We’re tough on our point guards and he’s really responded. I’m really proud of him and happy for him.”

Morgan hasn’t garnered his success at ISU all by himself, though. Eustachy has played a big part in Morgan’s improvement.

“I kind of handled him like you would a quarterback,” Eustachy said. “I’ve had him come in the office a lot, we’ve seen a lot of film [and] had a lot of talks.”

Morgan’s teammates are also helping him out tremendously, especially on the basketball court.

“If I make a mistake they tell me don’t worry about it, keep working,” Morgan said of his teammates. “It helps a lot.”

And for a little mentoring on the side, Morgan has also looked to former ISU star, now NBA rookie standout Jamaal Tinsley for advice.

“He’s a great guy. He always told me that it’s going to be tough here, which it has been,” Morgan said of Tinsley. “He just told me to keep my head up and play my game. That’s what I’ve been doing this last month or so, and it’s really been showing on the court.”

Along with his outstanding play on the court, Eustachy has also been impressed with Morgan’s leadership ability.

“Our team looks different when he’s not in there,” Eustachy said. “In the locker room after the game, he’s leading the team, talking to them. It’s really neat.”

The equation to the Cyclone’s winning of late is simple. When Morgan runs the point effectively, it tends to open up more scoring opportunities for Cyclone big guns like sophomores Jake Sullivan and Shane Power and senior Tyray Pearson.

“Me and him are really starting to get a feel of playing together which is only going to help this team,” Sullivan said.

Morgan and company will look for their first conference road win of the season tonight in Oklahoma as they take on the No. 5 Sooners.

Oklahoma is led by junior guard Hollis Price, who averages 16 points a game, and senior big man Aaron McGhee who, puts in 15 points and pulls down seven boards a game.

With only two regular season games left before the Big 12 tournament, the Cyclones are setting their sights high.

“I think it would be great if we won the Big 12 tournament,” freshman Jared Homan said. “I think that would be a great goal for this team and real big challenge. I think anything’s possible.”