The schedule makers in the Big 12 did Iowa State no favors to start conference play. After falling to top ranked Texas in their Big 12 home opener the Cyclones now face a third ranked Kansas team that has spent much of this season at the top of the polls.
The Cyclones lost at Texas Tech on Wednesday night, one day after junior guard Lucca Staiger quit the team and returned to Germany to play professionally. The Cyclones are 1-2 in the league race and 12-6 overall.
The U.N.I. Panthers return to action on Sunday with a visit to Indiana State. The Panthers had their 15 game winning streak snapped at Wichita State and coach Ben Jacobsen says the depth in the Missouri Valley Conference will make it difficult for any team to run away with the league title.
Jacobsen says that is playing out now with a number of experienced teams that can win games. He says they all thought this would happen with the number of returning players and the depth of the league.
Jacobsen says it is a conference that is full of veteran players and there are some new guys playing to that transferred in that have added to the experience.
U.N.I. and Indiana State met for the first time last Saturday and the Panthers claimed a lopsided win. Indiana State coach Kevin McKenna says they didn’t play very well in that game and that is still fresh in his team’s mind.