DENVER — Iowa State has been a popular upset pick by national pundits and various media organizations as the No. 4 seed Cyclones prepare for No. 13 seed Iona in the NCAA Tournament.

As you might expect, the Cyclones are unfazed by being an upset pick.

“We really don’t care what anybody outside of our family is talking about,” said forward Abdel Nader. “We’re just ready to play. We want to prove people wrong.”

The urge to prove critics wrong seems to be a powerful motivator amongst the Cyclones, who are trying to turn a negative into a positive.

“That’s their opinions,” said center Jameel McKay. “Thanks to them. [It] keeps giving us more motivation.”

The Cyclones were a trendy dark horse pick to make the Final Four last season before getting upset by UAB in the first round, which has made them a popular pick to get bounced from the tournament early again this year.

Fans and media members haven’t forgotten Iowa State’s first round loss last year, and neither has Iowa State.

“We haven’t really talked about it much, “ Nader said of last year’s tournament loss. “But like I said, it’s definitely in the back of everybody’s mind.”

That might serve as a positive for the Cyclones, who are determined to not let history repeat itself.

“Just smile,” said point guard Monté Morris of his reaction. “I think we always get counted out. They’re always going against us for some odd reason.”

Georges Niang also didn’t mind the upset predictions. He’s used to it and eager to use it to his advantage.

“That’s fine,” Niang said. “I’ve been proving people wrong my whole life.”