Being in his first year as Iowa State’s head coach, Steve Prohm has yet to experience the Big 12 Championship in Kansas City, Mo.

He has, though, heard quite a few things about the tournament.

“I’ve heard it’s probably the most supported, if not the most supported conference tournament in the country,” Prohm said. “It fits about 20,000 people, and we’ll have about 15,000 Cyclone fans in there Thursday night. The atmosphere will be electric. I’m looking forward to it.”

No. 21 Iowa State (21-10, 10-8 Big 12) will take on No. 6 Oklahoma (24-6, 12-6 Big 12) in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 Championship on Thursday night. Oklahoma won the first matchup between the two teams in Norman, Okla., and Iowa State took the second game in Ames.

While it’s not the easiest draw for the Cyclones to take on a Sooner team that has been ranked in the top 10 for the majority of the season, senior Georges Niang isn’t worried.

“Obviously, it’s felt like a while since we’ve played them,” Niang said. “We’re excited to get out there and play for a third time. We’re up for the challenge.”

The Cyclones will play in the fourth and final game of the day on Thursday and will likely start late because of longer games earlier in the day.

Even though they will have to wait all day for their turn to play, Prohm said it shouldn’t be hard to keep their focus.

“The good thing about it, there will only be five teams left when we play. That’s a good way to look at it from my standpoint,” Prohm said. “You play when you play. It makes it for a long day, but we’ve been playing these [8 p.m.] games all year … I think these guys are used to it.”

Monté Morris injury update

Near the end of Iowa State’s 85-78 loss at Kansas on Saturday, ISU point guard Monté Morris hurt his shoulder.

It was later ruled as a strained rotator cuff, and Morris left Phog Allen Fieldhouse with his shoulder wrapped in ice.

On Monday, Prohm announced that Morris would have two days off as a precautionary measure. Even though his point guard won’t get much practice time before the opening game in the conference tournament, Prohm isn’t worried.

“He knows the system; he knows everything he’s got to do,” Prohm said. “We’re almost probably better off getting him some rest. So he’ll rest today and tomorrow and be back with us Thursday.”

Morris said he didn’t mind the time off — he hasn’t taken any since last summer.

And while he would like to be practicing, he said it’s probably better that he isn’t.

“I’d love that to be out there and practice,” Morris said. “But [with] my injuries, unfortunately I can’t do that. I’m going to be in here cheering on these guys, but it’s always good to get some rest. God works in mysterious ways, and he probably made me tweak my shoulder or something so I could get some rest.”

Morris played nearly all 40 minutes of Saturday’s game against the Jayhawks and is averaging more than 38 minutes played per game.

Even with all that time on the court and with tournament play right around the corner, Morris said he isn’t as tired as people may think. He is just taking things one day at a time.

“It’s just weird,” Morris said. “Some days I wake up more tired than other days. Right now I feel good. I might wake up tomorrow, I’m not practicing, but I might wake up a little tired. It’s just day to day.”

And even though he may not be back up to full strength by game time, he isn’t worried.

Morris said without a doubt he will play Thursday.

“My mom’s going to be there,” Morris said. “I’m going to tell her I’m 100 percent even if I’m 50 [percent]. That’s just the love for this team, and I’m going to lay it all out on the line, hurt or not.”