The Cyclones are tired, and not merely in a physical sense.

Iowa State closed a mid-season chapter Feb. 9 in Norman, Okla., which was characterized by a 23-day whirlwind replete with long road trips, three games on only one day’s rest, four nationally televised contests, wins against ranked opponents Kansas and Texas at home and double-digit losses versus Kansas and Oklahoma on the road.

Next up for No. 14 Iowa State (17-6, 7-4 Big 12) is a rematch with the relentless full-court press of No. 21 West Virginia (19-5, 7-4 Big 12), which is unlikely to provide the Cyclones with any sort of a breather.

“It’s a long season,” said ISU coach Fred Hoiberg. “You just have to have the right balance where [the players] don’t get mentally checked out. When you hit some tough times, when the adversity sets in, sometimes you have to have a balance as a coach on what you want to do with your team to keep them motivated and keep them going.”

Hoiberg’s player-management strategy during the five-day break between the most recent Oklahoma game and the showdown versus West Virginia on Feb. 14, which will serve as a battle for sole possession of third place in the Big 12, has been to rejuvenate his team off the court.

Iowa State got together for team building in a bowling alley earlier in the week, which Hoiberg said he hoped would provide some much needed rest and perspective.

“These past couple weeks, there’s been a lot of things said out there that we’re worthless and we’re not a very good basketball team, and I could just see a little mental fatigue from the guys,” Hoiberg said. “There’s some things we need to correct, there’s no doubt about that, but the world didn’t come to and end. The sky didn’t fall apart after the last game.”

The Cyclones can quiet the critics by handling a hard-nosed WVU team that was only two points shy of holding Iowa State back from its only road victory in conference play thus far this season.

The Mountaineers nearly accomplished that feat by creating 18 ISU turnovers and forcing Monte Morris, Georges Niang and Dustin Hogue to the bench roughly halfway through the second period with four fouls apiece.

While reduced minutes via foul trouble for any of the three starters proved detrimental, the biggest loss came in the eight minutes Morris spent on the pine.

As the primary ball-handler for the Cyclones, Morris’ absence forced Iowa State to bring the ball up by committee, putting much of the onus of protecting the ball on guards Naz Long, Matt Thomas and Bryce Dejean-Jones. The three combined for nine turnovers in the first go-round with West Virginia.

“I want to stay out there as long as I can, especially against West Virginia with that trap,” Morris said. “I came from a high school that always pressed, so when I see guys pressing in certain type of ways, it really doesn’t phase me.”

Morris currently boasts a 4.67-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio, one of the better marks in the category nationally.

Morris said that despite the unrelenting pressure applied by West Virginia, he actually finds it easier to protect the ball against the style of defense the Mountaineers play as compared to many other defensive schemes. His numbers support the assertion as throughout three career contests against the West Virginia press, Morris has amassed 24 assists and committed only one turnover.

“I see a lot of plays before they happen,” Morris said. “With a trap coming, I know someone trapping me in the corner is trying to take away my initial pass, so the skip or something is always there.”

Morris’ calm and confidence in the face of pressure will be at a premium, but protecting the ball and avoiding problematic foul trouble will still require a team effort.

“I think if we can get away from really gambling and doing stuff that’s uncharacteristic for us or turning the ball over, I think we’ll be alright,” Niang said. “If you beat [the press] with a couple quick passes, you’re going to have a couple open layups or open 3s, which is huge for us. Guys live for that around here, so I think if we can break the first line of that, we’ll be alright.”

Iowa State will tip off against West Virginia at 3 p.m. at Hilton Coliseum.