Notebook: With Kane questionable, the Cyclones prepare for KU

AMES — Before Iowa State (14-1, 2-1) began practicing for its Big Monday affair with the Kansas Jayhawks (11-4, 2-0) on Sunday afternoon, head coach Fred Hoiberg met with the media and delivered a fairly brief update on the status of DeAndre Kane, who sprained his ankle in the last minute of Saturday’s 87-82 loss at Oklahoma. As expected, Kane’s status for "Big Monday" will be a game-time decision.

“He is sore, as to be expected when you turn your ankle like the way that he did,” Hoiberg said. “Not much I can give you as far as what is going to happen tomorrow. He will continue to get treatments around the clock today and tomorrow and he will be a game-time decision.”

Kane exited Saturday’s game with 22 seconds to play. He led Iowa State in scoring with 23 points along with nine rebounds and four assists. After last week’s 15-point victory over Baylor, Kane garnered a large amount of national recognition. He scored 30 points with nine assists, eight rebounds and five assists vs. the Bears. The senior has started all 15 games for Iowa State this season while averaging 16.5 points and 7.3 rebounds per contest. The numbers speak for themselves. He is a very, very valuable member of Fred Hoiberg’s team.

“It’s really not up to me,” Kane said of his status. “It’s up to Coach (Hoiberg) and Vic (Miller, the team’s head trainer). It is pretty sore. You always want to get out there and help my brothers win. I will try and do whatever I can to play but when you twist your ankle, it is always going to be sore. It swells up.” 

Obviously, Kane did not practice on Sunday as he was receiving constant treatment. That will continue throughout the night on Sunday and all day Monday leading up the 8 p.m. tip. 

“He is a warrior and the kid will do anything to be on the floor with us,” Georges Niang said. 

First look at KU

Unfortunately for Iowa State, Kansas appears to be hitting its stride at the wrong time. After going on the road last Wednesday and defeating Oklahoma, the Jayhawks absolutely killed rival Kansas State by an 86-60 final on Saturday afternoon.

“Boy they were impressive last night in that game against Kansas State,” said an impressed Hoiberg. “They just absolutely ran away with it. They were physical. They were hitting shots. They are playing with a ton of confidence right now.”

Freshman superstar Andrew Wiggins played especially well. The 6-foot-8 guard scored a game-high 22 points while going 7-of-13 from the floor. Wiggins made 3-of-4 3-point attempts as well.

“When you have that collection of talent that is playing with that type of confidence, that makes them a very dangerous team,” Hoiberg said. “I would say they are playing as well as any team in the country right now.”

JOTTINGS

*** Looking back at Saturday, Iowa State converted on 52 percent of its field goal attempts compared to a 40 percent mark made by Oklahoma. The Cyclones outscored the Sooners 52-24 in the paint.

How did Iowa State lose again?

Oklahoma grabbed 13 offensive rebounds and had 22 second-chance points compared to Iowa State’s 2.

“If we don’t have a better effort on the boards, it is going to be a long year,” said Hoiberg.

That will certainly be the case on Monday night.

*** Quote of the day goes to Georges Niang…

“We lost one game. It’s not the end of the world.”

*** Las Vegas has Iowa State tabbed as a 2-point favorite over the Jayhawks.

*** Despite the loss to Oklahoma, KenPom.com still has Iowa State ranked as the 11thbest team in the country. Meanwhile, Kansas is No. 10.

*** The President of Basketball Operations for the Minnesota Timberwolves, Flip Saunders attended Iowa State’s practice on Sunday.