The Iowa State Cyclones open the Big 12 race on Saturday night at Nebraska. The game will have special meaning for Iowa State coach Fred Hoiberg who has led the Cyclones to a 13-2 start. Hoiberg says his grandfather coached there, and while his grandfather died when he was 3, Hoiberg says he has heard a lot of stories about him.

 He says his grandfather had a presence like Hoiberg’s former Cyclone coach Johnny Orr. Hoiberg says with the start of Big-12 play the Cyclones need to raise their level of play. It starts with rebounding, an area the cyclones struggled in during a victory over Northern Illinois this week.

He says every night is going to be a grind out game and if they come out and play their style, defend and knock down some shots, then they have a chance.