The ISU men’s basketball team will kick off the third round of the Emerald Coast Classic on Friday with their matchup against Virginia Tech (3-1, 0-0 ACC). 

But one thing is for certain heading into Friday’s game — the Cyclones aren’t looking past anybody.

“Our focus is on beating Virginia Tech,” said forward Georges Niang after the Cyclones’ win against Chattanooga on Monday. “The last time we looked ahead, UAB snubbed us.”

The winner between Iowa State and Virginia Tech will take on either Illinois or Alabama-Birmingham in the championship on Saturday. The last time Iowa State and UAB faced off, UAB topped the Cyclones 60-59 in the first round of last year’s NCAA tournament.

While they won’t come out and say it, the Cyclones know who they want to face next.

“Everyone knows who we want — we’re not going to say it,” said Jameel McKay. “Of course we’re going to try to take care of business. If God blesses us, we play UAB on Saturday, and that’s that.”

The Cyclones haven’t lost much from last year’s team that fell to UAB, and return four starters. UAB, which is 3-1 already on the season, returns all five starters from last season.

And while coach Steve Prohm, who is in his first year with the Cyclones, didn’t experience the first-round loss to UAB last season, he said he can still understand how much it has affected his team.

But he isn’t going to give it any extra attention.

“I understand the situation with the kids,” Prohm said. “My focus is on Virginia Tech.”

One thing the Cyclones hope to utilize against the Hokies will be McKay’s strong inside presence. Against Chattanooga on Monday, McKay grabbed 17 boards, five more than his season average.

“Jameel — he’s a monster out there,” Niang said. “The tenacity he’s playing with is something we’re going to need throughout [the season]. He’s playing at a high level. I don’t think you’re going to find a more active big man in the country.”

If all goes according to plan and the 6-foot-9, ISU big man is unleashed on Virginia Tech Friday at 6 p.m., the Cyclones will get their shot to take on UAB in the tournament championship on Saturday night — assuming UAB takes care of business as well.

“It’d be nice to play UAB,” McKay said. “But before you play them, you have to play Virginia Tech.”