If the Iowa State basketball team can defeat Northern Illinois next Tuesday the Cyclones will head into the Big 12 Conference race unbeaten.

ISU is 11-0 for the first time after winning the championship at the Diamond Head Classic in Honolulu. “We knew how important this tournament was because of the fact that most teams have played their multi team event — most play over that week in Thanksgiving similar to what we did last year in Las Vegas — so we knew we were behind on games and how important it was to try to win all three and get into double-digit victories  Iowa State coach Fred Hoiberg says.

Hoiberg says the first game after a trip to Hawaii is always tough because the trip going west is always easier than the trip coming back home. He says it will take some time to get their legs back, but they hope to come out and play well and get the 12th win.