DENVER — On the surface, Iowa State and Arkansas-Little Rock probably don’t have a lot in common, but one mutual connection between the two programs is Iowa State assistant coach Daniyal Robinson, who played at Little Rock and graduated from the school.

Robinson graduated from Little Rock in 1999 and weaved his way through the coaching profession before ending up at Iowa State. Now in his second stint as an Iowa State coach, the two programs will meet up in the NCAA tournament after Iowa State took care of Iona and Little Rock upset Purdue in the first round.

“I love Little Rock,” Robinson said. “I have a great affinity for them. I followed them closely all year long [and I’ve] been rooting for them.”

Robinson will have to temporarily quit rooting for his alma mater as Little Rock stands in the way of his Cyclones advancing to the Sweet 16. Despite being opponents this weekend, Robinson still considers himself a fan of Little Rock.

“You always want your school to do well,” Robinson said. “With them not having the same resources as a Big 12 program, the commitment level they’ve shown… that put them in a position to make a run in the tournament.”

Little Rock plays a little different styke now than they did back in Robinson’s day. Robinson, who was a starter and team captain for Little Rock as a senior, said his team played a more up-and-down style.

That’s not the case anymore as Little Rock has one of the slowest places of play in the country this season.

“They’re a defensive team,” Robinson said. “They’re fundamentally sound and they don’t beat themselves so it’s night and day in terms of style of play.”