Shane Power hates to lose.

Then again, he doesn’t really know much about it as he was a part of last year’s 27-6 season. It goes back even farther as him and fellow sophomore Jake Sullivan lost a combined eight games in the final two years at their high schools.

Power lost six and Sullivan lost two, but who’s counting?

“We’ve already lost more than that this year,” Power said. “But no one in this program is used to losing. Coach’s winning percentage is pretty high. It’s definitely tough getting used to.”

That being said, Power has been forced to swallow a tough pill this season as his Cyclones are at 1-8 in the Big 12 Conference and sitting on a seven-game losing streak.

Power has been given the role of leader in just his second year because of his experience from last year. He’s been forced to keep the heads up of the more inexperienced guys.

“You just got to tell the guys to keep playing through it,” Power said. “No matter what your record says do you want to be viewed as a quitter. For the most part, I think we’ve done that.”

Power is Iowa State’s third leading scorer at 13 points a game, but his contributions to the team can’t be measured in numbers. Constantly banged up, he is always one of the first guys diving on the floor for a loose ball or taking a charge.

It is vital for him to relentlessly give as much as he can in a game, not only to help his team but to satisfy himself.

“I hate to lose. I hate to go home and think that someone is better than me,” Power said. “When I step on the court, I feel like your manhood is at stake. If you don’t play as hard as the guy you’re guarding, then you go home feeling like you’re not a man.”

Along with the physical aspect of Power’s game, he even lets his emotion get involved from time to time.

In a game against Iowa on Dec. 8, Power inconspicuously poked his head into an Iowa huddle in the middle of the floor, only to pushed away by fellow Indiana native and Iowa star Luke Recker.

Then there was the Nebraska game. After fouling out, Power enjoyed heckles and boos from the crowd as he taunted back holding his hands to his ears.

“That comes from being competitive. I’m never afraid to mix it up, I have a chipped tooth right now” Power said. “I think our team needs a little bit more of that.”

That attitude has helped some of Iowa State’s big men when battling down low such as freshman Jared Homan.

“I’d say about half of our guys, when they get pushed, push back. And about half don’t,” Power said. “And I think that’s definitely got to change if we’re going to win.”

A win is what the Cyclones are craving right now. With a bucketful of close games under its belt, Iowa State has been able to maintain a driving positive attitude.

“I think the guys see on film we’re not that far away,” Power said. “I still contend that no matter what program you are, you’re not going to win the Big 12 with mainly sophomores.”

Power said he is excited for the future when players like Sullivan, Homan, sophomore Marcus Jefferson and himself will be older and more experienced.

“But if you look too much towards that, I’d feel like I was cheating Tyray,” he said. “Unfortunately for him, this is his last year and he can’t get this one back.”

Power will look to rack up more bumps and bruises tonight in Missouri.

The No. 22 Tigers, Iowa State’s only conference victory this season, are coming off an upset win Sunday against then No. 8 Virginia.

They are sitting at 5-3 in the Big 12 after a roller coaster season thus far. Holding on at the bottom of the Top 25 and with revenge in their minds, the Tigers will propose a challenge to Iowa State.

“They’re a lot better now then when we played them,” Power said. “They just beat the [No. 10] team in the country somewhat convincingly. The Hearnes Center is one of the toughest places to play.”

With Iowa State’s weakness this season being at the end of games, the Cyclones are focused on playing a complete game with minimal mistakes throughout.

“We try not to think about the end of the game too much. If you leave it up to the end of the game, it’s just a crap shoot,” Power said.

“We can’t worry about wins and losses right now, we just have to worry about playing our best game.”