Cyclone men prepare for Tigers

Jeff Stell

Coming off an 88-80 overtime loss at Oklahoma State, the ISU men’s basketball team travels to another hostile environment Saturday at Missouri.The Cyclones, ranked 18th, sport a record of 13-2, including a 1-1 mark in the Big 12. Monday’s loss at Stillwater snapped an eight game winning streak for the Cyclones in the conference.Leading the way for the Cyclones as of late has been senior guard Kantrail Horton. Horton earned Big 12 Player of the Week last week after pouring in a career high 27 points in a 100-80 victory over No. 15 Oklahoma.Horton is one of five Cyclones averaging double figures in scoring, averaging 11.6 points a contest. Also averaging double figures are Martin Rancik, leading the team at 12.5 points per game, Paul Shirley (12.3), Jamaal Tinsley (12.1) and Jake Sullivan (11.6).The Cyclones have been solid on the board, ranking second in the nation in rebounding margin, and are outrebounding opponents by an 47.7-28.9 margin.Shirley is grabbing 7.5 rebounds per game to lead the club, while Horton is next at 5.9.The Tigers have the chance to improve to 3-0 in the Big 12 with a win and stay on top of the conference standings. The Tigers are 11-3, with all three losses coming to ranked teams.In the conference, the Tigers have defeated Nebraska and Colorado.Sophomore guard Kareem Rush powers the Tiger attack, averaging 21.6 points per game, tops in the Big 12. Rush is also hauling 7.7 rebounds a game.In the victory over the Buffaloes, Clarence Gilbert led all scorers with 22 points. Gilbert is the Buffaloes’ main three-point threat, totaling 41 three-point bombs in just 14 games.