The last time Kansas and Iowa State locked up was on Jan. 13 at Lawrence. The result was a Dedric Willoughby injury, Kelvin Cato foul trouble and a 80-67 loss.

But much has changed since that game. Iowa State, now at full strength with a healthy Dedric Willoughby and company, has won five games in a row to climb to a No.6 ranking.

Kansas’ senior center Scott Pollard has missed the last four games and the No.1-ranked Jayhawks have to face ISU fresh off of a 94-96 loss to Missouri in double overtime.

More importantly, Kansas will have to play in Hilton Coliseum here in Ames.

While many believe the absence of Pollard and the recent Missouri loss will increase the Cyclones’ chances of victory, ISU Head Basketball Coach Tim Floyd refuses to take Kansas lightly.

“We’re going to go into practice with great intensity. We’re really going to work hard the next three days,” Floyd said. “It’s not always who you’re playing, it’s when you’re playing them. I think Kansas will come in here highly ticked off.”

ISU senior center Cato sees eye- to-eye with Coach Floyd.

“They will bring a lot of intensity. They always do,” Cato said.

With Pollard out, the obvious advantage for the Cyclones will show on the boards. An area Cato stresses to be a key to victory.

“We have to keep them off the boards. We saw that the last time we played them. We have to play solid defense like we have been too,” Cato said.

While Pollard is expected to be out, ISU will not change its game plan says Cyclone senior forward Shawn Bankhead.

“We’re going to prepare for them as though Pollard is going to be playing. We’ll watch the film as though Pollard will be playing. I can’t see our game plan changing,” Bankhead said.

Kansas power forward/center Raef LaFrentz is averaging 18 points per game while grabbing 8.8 rebounds per contest.

Kansas also has what is considered by many as the best point guard in the land in Jaque Vaughn who has dished out 72 assists this season while averaging 10 points per contest.

Then there is the player who Floyd said should definitely receive votes as NCAA player of the year. That player is forward Paul Pierce, who averages 41.7 points per game and 5.8 rebounds.

In short, with or without Pollard, ISU has its hands full. But don’t think the Cyclones don’t know that.

“They’ve got so many good players. With or without Pollard they’re basically the same,” Bankhead said.

Kansas (22-1 overall, 8-1 conference) and Iowa State (16-3 overall, 7-2 conference) will tip it off Sunday at the Hilton Coliseum at 2 p.m.