The Iowa State Cyclones have a tough opener in the Big-12 race this evening as they host top ranked Texas. Cyclone coach Greg McDermott says if Texas isn’t the best team they will have played in his four years at Iowa State, then they are certainly right there. He says the Longhorns deserve their ranking as they are “extremely talented” and rank right up with the Kansas national championship team of a couple of years ago.
McDermott says Texas is strong in every phase, as they are deep and unselfish. He says they are better defensively this year and really try to disrupt what you do.
It is the first time Texas has been top ranked and coach Rick Barnes says that ranking comes with a price, especially on the road. He says it gives more energy and emotion to your opponent and that is something you have to embrace to determine what you have to do to get better.
Barnes says the Longhorns expect a tough game. He says they are a talented team and an explosive team and it has never been easy playing in Ames.