For two teams that went winless on the road in conference play this season, you’d think that both teams’ coaches would want to say they’re playing at home.

But that’s not the way Iowa State’s Tim Floyd and Missouri’s Norm Stewart view Thursday’s first-round matchup in the Big 12 Tournament at Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Mo.

“I wouldn’t necessarily call this one a home game,” Floyd said. “I’m sure Missouri will be well represented. If we were playing anybody other than Missouri or Kansas, we could consider it.”

Stewart said that even though the tournament is held in the Tigers’ home state, the folks from the north come down in droves as well.

“You talk about a home court, they’ve got as good of support as anybody in the league,” Stewart said.

Stewart believes the timing of the conference tournament is perfect for Iowa residents to make the trip to Kansas City, Mo.

“A lot of them haven’t got out in the fields yet, so they come down in majority,” he said.

Floyd suffered through a season in which his team went 1-9 on the road and 1-2 on neutral courts.

“I attribute that to the fact that we haven’t defended as hard on the road,” he said. “And you have to rebound and at times have to be able to play with a patience level. This team has not been able to do that effectively all season long.”

The Tigers were even more futile (0-10) on the road this season, but were 2-2 on neutral courts.

This is the third meeting of the year between the two squads. ISU (12-17, 5-11) and Missouri (16-13, 8-8) split during the regular season, with the Cyclones winning 75-62 in Ames, and the Tigers returning the favor in Columbia 63-56.

Floyd said Missouri’s team presents several problems defensively for ISU.

He said, “You have to guard the three-point line obviously. They demonstrated that in their last basketball game. They’re a team who can beat you off the dribble [as well].”

Stewart is equally as wary about the ability of the young Cyclone squad.

“They’ve had some ups and downs in their season, but they’re still dangerous,” he said.

Stewart believes the Big 12 Tournament will give his team a chance to showcase its talents to the NCAA Tournament selection committee.

But with 16 victories, which was enough to get Texas into the field of 64 last season, he doesn’t see Thursday’s 8:20 game against the Cyclones as a “must-win.”

“I don’t know why our team wouldn’t get in,” Stewart said. “We’ve beaten a lot of good teams.”