The Iowa State men’s basketball program has found success in the past three seasons, rising as one of the better programs in the nation.

In those three seasons, though, the Cyclones have yet to find success against Big 12 foe Baylor. 

The Cyclones are riding a four-game losing streak against the Bears and haven’t won in Waco, Texas, since Feb. 20, 2013.  

“Sometimes it comes down to some teams just really give you problems,” point guard Monte Morris said. “And since I’ve been here, Baylor has been one of those teams.”

It won’t be any easier in Morris’ senior season. 

After starting the season on a 13-game win streak, No. 2 Baylor (13-0, 1-0 Big 12) ascended to the second-spot in the AP Top 25 Poll this week, its highest ranking in school history. Iowa State (9-3, 1-0 Big 12) will travel to Waco to try and snap that five-game losing streak against the Bears, which dates back to the 2013-14 season. 

“I don’t think I’ve won there since I’ve come here,” Morris said. “So I’m trying to do that, and I know the guys are too. It always comes down to one or two possessions down there, so hopefully the ball will roll our way and we can make some shots.” 

Baylor big man Jonthanan Motley will make it extremely difficult for the Cyclones to pull out a victory. The senior forward is averaging 16.3 points — fourth in the Big 12 — and 9.1 rebounds per game — second in the Big 12. 

Last season, Motley had no trouble against Iowa State. Motley racked up double-doubles in both games against the Cyclones in the 2015-16 season with 27 points in each contest. 

“[Motley] was terrific here in an early conference game,” coach Steve Prohm said. “He can make [three-pointers], but he’s skilled. He can pass it, he can shoot it. He’s gotten so much better over these last three years. He’s improved so much. I’ve got a lot of respect for his game, and he’s a tough matchup for us, but obviously a big key to the game.” 

Motley will provide even more troubles for Iowa State because of the team’s lack of size down low. The Cyclones rolled out a four-guard lineup in the final 13 minutes against Texas Tech on Friday, resulting in a spark that fueled a comeback and an eventual victory. 

But that lineup could run into troubles against a big Baylor team, which also boasts a 7-foot Australian in Jo Lual-Acuil Jr., who is averaging 7.5 rebounds per game.

When the four-guard lineup found success against Texas Tech last week, it out-rebounded the Red Raiders in that 13-minute stretch, despite being undersized. Prohm credited the discrepancy his team’s speed and toughness. 

The team will have to find that same grind-it-out attitude against the Bears. 

“If you’re going to play four guards, you’ve got to have great toughness and great speed,” Prohm said. “You’ve got to have a toughness about you or a resolve about you. Obviously, if you’re just going to play straight man to man against [Baylor], with that lineup, you’re going to have to do some things differently.”

Prohm wouldn’t say that the four-guard lineup is the identity of the team, but he did say that the Cyclones have been practicing it extensively. 

Forward Deonte Burton wasn’t on the court during the team’s big run against Texas Tech, but that doesn’t mean he won’t have an impact Wednesday night. Prohm lauded Burton’s ability against Baylor last season. 

Burton put up 14 points and six rebounds in 27 minutes against Baylor on the road last season. 

“I’m going to continue to challenge [Burton], show him tape and get on the practice court and work,” Prohm said. “You watch, there was some possessions — I watched [last year’s] Baylor game this morning — he made some tough plays around the basket last year and I expect him to do that Wednesday night.”

Burton will a key in stopping Motley, too. And that could come down to the difference between a win and a loss for the Cyclones.  

“[Motley is] a problem,” Morris said. “It’s all about rebounding and keeping him off the boards. If we can do that and run, we should be able to get whatever we want on that end.”