Tyrese Haliburton didn’t plan on playing this much this soon.

In just his second career game, and first career start, the freshman guard from Oshkosh, Wisconsin, played all 40 minutes in Iowa State’s 76-59 win over Missouri.

“When they call me, I gotta show up,” Haliburton said after the win.

Haliburton scored eight points, all in the first half (3-of-6 shooting) and added four steals, three rebounds, two assists and two blocks for good measure. He also didn’t turn the ball over all game, drawing praise from teammate Nick Weiler-Babb and coach Steve Prohm.

He played like a veteran defensively, filling passing lanes just at the right time to intercept passes.

“I don’t really pay attention too much to stats, but [Haliburton] was a big presence out there for us,” said Weiler-Babb, who finished with 16 points, six assists and three rebounds. “For a freshman to come in there for his first start and be so [important] to our win, you can’t ask much more from him.”

Haliburton is now averaging 11 points, four steals, three rebounds and three assists per game.

All this was happening because Iowa State star guard Lindell Wigginton was unable to play after injuring his left foot on Tuesday. The injury opened up a starting spot for Haliburton.

“It’s experience that a lot of other freshmen don’t get,” Haliburton said. “At the same time I get to solidify myself and show Cyclone nation and coach Prohm that I’m here for a reason. I don’t know if anybody has more trust in me than [Prohm] so that helps a lot.”

But Haliburton wasn’t the only freshman to stand out Friday.

All four freshmen — Talen Horton-Tucker, Zion Griffin, George Conditt IV and Haliburton — stepped up in the absence of Wigginton.

Horton-Tucker came through with 12 points and three rebounds for Iowa State while playing 33 minutes. Griffin added five points and four rebounds — all in the first half — while providing relief for senior guard Marial Shayok after Shayok picked up three first-half fouls.

“You guys call us freshmen, that’s our label, but that’s not how we carry ourselves,” Haliburton said. “That’s not how we play. We feel like we belong with anybody in the country … once we’re in between the lines, let’s go.”

The freshmen got noticeably excited with big runs, trying to pump up the crowd, clapping on defense and playing with energy.

Prohm said he wanted to make sure Haliburton and the freshmen kept things in perspective. It’s only game two, after all. Weiler-Babb, however, was fine with letting the freshmen have their fun.

“You’ve got four freshmen on the court, you can’t just tell them to be mellow,” Weiler-Babb said. “It’s their first big game in Hilton, you want them to be hyped. You just don’t want them crazy-hyped. But I think they did a great job handling their emotions and they all came through big for us.”

Regardless of the crowd’s impact, the Cyclones still have to rely on their youth for a few weeks. Wigginton is “week-to-week” according to Iowa State’s athletic trainer Vic Miller, and Cameron Lard and Zoran Talley Jr. are both out until at least December with suspensions.

Iowa State will need consistency from a group of freshmen, which can be tough in college basketball. That starts with Haliburton.

“He has something about him,” Prohm said. “He’s a good fit for this school, he’s a good fit for this university. He reminds me a lot of the guys I was fortunate to coach my first couple years here with his personality, with the character, with the charisma.

“He can handle himself in any situation … but it’s game two. You need to be the same Tyrese Haliburton you were a month ago, just continue to work and learn. But he’s got a chance to be a very good player, he’s just got to keep working.”