Florida A&M @ Iowa State preview

Iowa State has had its ups-and-downs in the non-conference, with a win over Seton Hall among the highs but a 2-4 record against teams from power conferences, including a 16-point loss to in-state rival Iowa. With all but one tune-up behind them, the Cyclones have one last dress rehearsal before Big 12 play begins after the New Year when Florida A&M visits Tuesday.

“You’re really defined by what you do in the conference,” coach Steve Prohm told reporters. “The non-conference is great, you get a chance to get some good wins, but at the end of the day, you’re evaluated by what you do in your league.” Iowa State rolled to an 89-59 win against Purdue Fort Wayne on Dec. 22, shooting 55.6 percent for the game, including 14-of-30 beyond the arc. Tyrese Haliburton drilled a career-high six 3-pointers and finished with 22 points, Solomon Young added 15 points and Terrence Lewis came off the bench to score 11. Florida A&M, ranked 325th by KenPom, snapped a season-opening nine-game losing streak - all on the road - with a 71-57 win over Seattle on Dec. 21, but the Rattlers are 0-5 against teams from major conferences with double-figure loses in all.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, No TV

ABOUT FLORIDA A&M (1-9): Sophomore guard MJ Randolph had 16 points and eight rebounds, while Rod Melton Jr. scored 17 points in the win over Seattle. Randolph leads the team in scoring (11.4), assists (2.2) and steals (1.8) and is second in rebounds (5.0). Only 19.7 percent of the Rattlers' shots come from the 3-point line, lowest in the nation, and they shoot just 26.8 percent beyond the arc and average three makes per game; Melton (10.5 points) is the only player with more than 10 makes (11-of-43).

ABOUT IOWA STATE (7-4): Haliburton (17.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 7.7 assists, 2.5 steals), who added six assists and four rebounds against the Rattlers, leads all Big 12 players averaging 30.7 points-assists-rebounds per game (next best is Kansas' Devon Dotson at 27.9). Penn State transfer Rasir Bolton (13.3 points, 2.5 assists) matched his career high with six assists, but the sophomore is shooting just 21 percent from 3-point range (10-of-47). Young (10.2 points, 3.9 rebounds) is the third double-figure scorer, while senior Michael Jacobson leads the team with 7.1 rebounds and 6-10 freshman George Conditt IV averages 9.6 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.1 blocks in 18.3 minutes per game.

TIP-INS

1. Iowa State won the only other meeting 93-68 in 1989.

2. The Rattlers have lost to USC (77-48), Seton Hall (87-51), Kansas State (76-58), Tennessee (72-43) and Washington State (87-73).

3. The Cyclones are shooting 56.3 percent on 2-point field goals, which ranks 10th nationally.

PREDICTION: Iowa State 91, Florida A&M 64