AMES — No. 5 Iowa State hasn’t had to sweat much in its first three games of the season, defeating opponents by an average of 33.3 points per game. That’s all going to change as Iowa State enters the Maui Invitational and is set to play three games in three days against stiff competition.
The Cyclones have experience in Thanksgiving week tournaments, including last season when the team made the trip to Orlando, Florida, for the ESPN Events Invitational, where the Cyclones went 1-2.
The Maui Invitational is a whole different monster. It is widely acknowledged as the top in-season tournament in all of college basketball, often featuring some of the top teams in the country, and this season is no different.
This season’s field includes four teams currently ranked in the top 10, this being No. 2 UConn, No. 4 Auburn, No. 10 North Carolina and of course, No. 5 Iowa State. The other teams that round out the field of eight are Colorado, Dayton, Memphis and Michigan State.
Because of the sharp increase in competition, this is the first time that the Cyclones will have to face any type of difficulty.
“We’re going to be challenged with adversity and how you handle adversity,” head coach T.J. Otzelberger said. “Whether that’s at the end of a possession, over a stretch of time. Not to say in these first three games that we couldn’t do better. But it’s different when you’re down and when the crowd is against you. Things are going to get in your way. We’re going to have some of those moments.”
The challenges aren’t just about the quality of competition, they’re also about the schedule. To start the season, the Cyclones have only played three games, playing one per week. Now, Iowa State will have to play three games in three days, which should help grow that short-term memory that all good teams possess.
“It’s doing everything you can to put yourself in the position to win,” Otzelberger said. “Then, regardless of what happens with one another, learn what you need to learn and quickly turn the page to the next game. Because whether you’re to be successful, you can’t sit and think about that and if you weren’t, it’s the same. You’ve got to learn, you’ve got to move forward.”
While Maui will provide challenges, it will also provide great opportunities. Going on a trip like this can be a great chance for the team to bond and grow closer. That chemistry could help when things get tough down the road.
“I think all trips you go on with your team, bring the team together,” junior guard Tamin Lipsey said. “For example, we went to the Bahamas for a summer trip and we just meshed so much more.”
“Those are great opportunities for our guys,” Otzelberger said. “I think they really enjoy and invest in one another and enjoy having that time. For many, they haven’t been to Hawaii, so having this experience is great.”
On the court, because of the tournament’s stature, the Cyclones have the chance to make a statement in front of a national audience early in the season, starting with a game against Auburn, with the potential to face two more top-10 teams.
“I’m really excited, our whole team is just looking forward to playing top-tier competition,” Lipsey said.
But the Cyclones know not to look past their first game.
“One game at a time mentality,” senior guard Keshon Gilbert said. “Not overlooking nobody, just sticking to the game plan for that one game, then focusing on the next game when that comes to us.”
No. 5 Iowa State’s game against No. 4 Auburn is scheduled to tip off at 8 p.m. Monday from Lahaina Civic Center in Maui, Hawaii. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN.
“Auburn is the only game that matters right now, and we have a tremendous focus on preparation, what we need to do in practice, film, things mentally that need to be on our mind to go be successful in that game,” Otzelberger said. “Then we’ll deal with whatever is next when that comes.”
If Iowa State wins, it will play at 10 p.m. Tuesday. Should the Cyclones lose, the game will be at 7:30. No matter the result of the Auburn game, Iowa State will face North Carolina or Dayton next.
