Coming off a heartbreaking double overtime loss to Oklahoma, and with a game against highly ranked Kansas in the offing on Saturday, the Cyclones will take on Texas A&M tonight at Hilton Coliseum.

The above conditions would normally add up to a dangerous game. But, according to junior guard Kantrail Horton, the Cyclones will have no trouble avoiding a letdown or falling into the trap of overlooking an opponent.

“It’s going to be a big game. Texas A&M is a good team. They are really athletic, and they like to run a lot, so it’s going to be a challenge,” Horton said.

Coach Larry Eustachy also knows that the team could be in for a struggle tomorrow night.

“It’s going to be tough. They already have won on the road against Texas Tech, and they beat Oklahoma State. They are really well coached, and we’re going to have to play well to beat them,” Eustachy said.

The Aggies are led in the scoring department by freshman guard Bernard King.

The 6-3 native of Louisiana is the sixth-highest scoring freshman in the nation at 16.3 points per game.

He has the potential to be an explosive scorer, as shown when he went off for 26 second-half points in the Aggies early-season loss to Lamar.

Although King is the only player in double figures, the team does have several other players who can rise up and have a big game.

Junior forward Carlton Brown is averaging 9.1 points and 4.5 rebounds per game, but has had games of 24 and 22.

Also potentially dangerous is freshman point guard Jamaal Gilchrist, who has had a high of 21 points this year.

The program is coming off its first win over a ranked opponent in 13 years, achieved when the team defeated Oklahoma State on Saturday.

In that game, A&M started four freshman, the third time this year they have done that.

Head coach Melvin Watkins, in his second year, knows his young team could have trouble playing in a hostile environment.

“This is my first trip to Ames, but I’ve heard it can be an extremely tough place to play,” Watkins said.

The Cyclones, meanwhile, have to bounce back from the loss at Oklahoma.

“We are still confident right now. We know if we play our game, we’ll be OK,” Horton said.

With ISU right on the cusp of the Associated Press’ Top 25, a couple of victories this week should put them over the top.

But Horton says that the players don’t put too much stock in those things.

“It’s all politics. If they want to put us in their rankings, that’s fine. But if not, we’re not going to sit here and worry about it,” Horton said.

The Cyclones boast the Big 12’s leading scorer in Marcus Fizer, who puts in 20.7 points per game. Fizer had 20 points against Oklahoma, but put up only one shot in both overtimes on Saturday.

There are plenty of contributors to the team, as six active players average more than 7.5 points per game.

Horton knows that this is a must-win game, especially considering the circumstances.

“Good teams don’t stay down from tough losses,” Horton said. “Good teams bounce back.”