It has been a week since the ISU men’s basketball team has played a basketball game, and the players are chomping at the bit to get back onto the floor.

After a disappointing loss to Maryland raised questions about the level of chemistry for Iowa State, ISU coach Fred Hoiberg said the Thanksgiving week practices have been focused on getting back to basics.

However, one ISU player appears to have already mastered the basics, at least those that apply most heavily to his position and role.

Sophomore point guard Monte Morris set an NCAA record last season with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 4.79-to-1. So far this season, Morris is posting a number almost twice that of 8.7-to-1.

Morris’s continuing protection of the ball will be crucial if the Cyclones hope to bounce back against Lamar, a team that competed impressively in a 13-point loss on the road at Indiana.

Find out what else the Cyclones must do to right the ship, here.