Iowa State knows what it’s in store for when they meet UCLA Thursday night in the Midwest regional semifinals.

“They are really, really deep, they’ve got some of the best talent in the country, and they’re young. They might be playing the best of anybody in the country right now, and we’ve got a huge challenge ahead of us,” ISU coach Larry Eustachy said.

The Bruins are led by a freshman, forward Jason Kapono. Averaging 16.3 points per game, he is joined in double figures by three others, with a fourth averaging 9.8.

“That’s one of the problems with them, Eustachy said. “There’s not one thing you can concentrate on and say you’re going to win. You can’t say ‘well, if we rebound, we’ll win.’ Because even if we rebound, if we don’t get back on defense, we’ll lose.”

The Bruins ravaged Maryland 105-70 to advance in the tournament, and had several awe-inspiring dunks, something that impressed Eustachy.

“Dunking the goal is an impressive stat. If you dunk the ball in Maryland’s goal that many times, you’re quite special. Right now, UCLA is the most special of the 16 teams left, I would think. To do what they did against a great Maryland team, it’s just unbelievable.”

UCLA’s transition game has been a key for them all year, and Eustachy said Iowa State must try to slow it down.

“If we don’t play transition defense and get back, the game will be over in the first five minutes,” Eustachy said.

The Cyclones, had two solid second-half performances that allowed them to pull away down the stretch for wins in each of their tournament games so far.

They used a 12-0 run against Central Connecticut State in the first round, and went on a 14-2 scoring spree against Auburn in the second round.

Eustachy, a native Californian, always wanted to play for the Bruins growing up.

“I think everybody in the country wanted to play for them back then, especially if you grew up in that area. I remember all the teams with Henry Bibby and those guys, and the tradition really makes you have chills down your spine,” Eustachy said.

Although Eustachy has been clamoring for his team to get more respect all year, it appears that that issue appears to be dead now.

“UCLA has earned their stripes, and so have we. At this point, everybody respects everybody that’s left, so I don’t think that’s going to be on our mind when we hit the court,” Eustachy said.

The Cyclones will share the court this weekend with three teams rich in basketball tradition.

UCLA, of course, won 10 straight NCAA titles in the glory days under legendary coach John Wooden, and won a national title in 1995 as well.

Michigan State took home the 1979 title behind Magic Johnson, one of the best point guards ever to play college basketball.

The Spartans advanced to the Final Four a year ago, while Syracuse reached the NCAA title game just four years ago.

Eustachy thinks the Cyclones belong in that group despite never reaching beyond the Sweet Sixteen in the modern era.

“I think we’re right there. When you talk about coaches, and fans and teams who have been here, I think we’re a top 20 or 30 program to be sure,” Eustachy said. “We just want to prove we belong this weekend.”