ISU coach Steve Prohm has never been to Denver.

Okay, he’s been to the airport once to catch a connecting flight, but that doesn’t really count.

Prohm will get his first chance to step into the Rocky Mountain state this week when Iowa State (21-11, 10-8 Big 12) opens up against Iona (22-10, 16-4 MAAC) in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, its fifth-straight NCAA Tournament appearance.

Iowa State, which drew a 4-seed in the tournament, will take on 13-seed Iona at 1 p.m. on Tuesday at the Pepsi Center in Denver.

And while the game will be in a significantly higher altitude than what the Cyclones are used to — about one mile above sea level — Prohm said it shouldn’t be an issue. If all goes well, he said, they should be adjusted to the difference in time.

“As quick as we can get out there Tuesday the better, so we can get maybe even a workout in Tuesday night and get them adjusted,” Prohm said. “By Thursday afternoon, these guys should be adjusted and ready to go.”

The Cyclones, who are playing in the Midwest region, have a slightly favorable route to make it to the second weekend of play. The winner of the Iowa State/Iona game will take on the winner of Purdue/Arkansas-Little Rock for the right to play in Chicago for the Sweet-16 games.

However, Jameel McKay said they can’t afford to look past the first round game — especially after their early first-round exit from the tournament last year.

“Last year at this very moment we were on top of the world, and like three or four days later we probably hit one of the lowest points in our life,” McKay said. “You can’t take anything for granted, you have to take it one game at a time and focus on that one opponent. That’s what we’re going to do.”

Prohm concurred with his big-man, even calling on his tournament experiences at Murray State for help.

“I don’t think you can overlook anybody in this tournament,” Prohm said. “I think the guys are well aware of that… It’s a great opportunity, but you can’t get to the second round until you win the first round.”

So for now, it seems as if the focus is truly on just MAAC Champions Iona, someone Georges Niang said they can’t afford to look past either.

“They’re going to bring their guns,” Niang said. “They’re a really great team, a really talented team, talented at every position. We’re going to have to bring our A game.”