Milwaukee @ Iowa State preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 16, 2008 ) Wis.-Milwaukee 61, Iowa State 79

The loss of four starters has thus far proven difficult to overcome for Iowa State, which will attempt to collect its first win Monday against visiting Milwaukee. The Cyclones were outplayed in every facet of the game in their opener against Missouri, but can win their 20th straight home opener with a victory over the Panthers.

"We've got a long way to go from the standpoint of both ends of the court," third-year coach Steve Prohm told the media following the 74-59 loss to Missouri, which played the final 38 minutes without star freshman Michael Porter. "Obviously, it's frustrating, but I am glad we played this game, so we know what we've got to get better at." For starters, the Cyclones need to work on shooting, defense and rebounding as all three were sorely lacking against the Tigers. Prohm doesn't have a returning player who averaged better than 6.5 points last season, but added a pair of capable scorers in transfers Zoran Talley and Jeff Beverly to help make up for loss of 58.9 points from last season's starting lineup. The Panthers gave former Northwestern assistant Pat Baldwin his first coaching victory with a win over Wisconsin-Lacrosse, but have never beaten the Cyclones in four opportunities.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, No TV

ABOUT MILWAUKEE (1-0): After a trying freshman season, Bryce Barnes is well on his way to becoming a top scorer in the Horizon League with his 19-point effort in the opener. The 5-11 guard had three times as many zero-point games (12) as games in double figures last season (four), but if he continues to shoot like he did in the opener, when he went 6-of-7 from both the field and the line, he will be a solid option for the Panthers. Barnes and 6-7 forward Bryce Nze, who nearly recorded his second career double-double in the opener, are two of three sophomores in the starting lineup for the Panthers, who were 11-24 last season.

ABOUT IOWA STATE (0-1): If the Cyclones can get somewhere in the neighborhood of the 14 points, five rebounds and four assists that Nick Weiler-Babb had in the opener, it will be a marked improvement over what he gave them last season. The former three-star recruit began his career at Arkansas and showed flashes of ability when given the opportunity last season, but averaged only 16.5 minutes and four points. The long-awaited debut of redshirt freshman Cameron Lard, who at 6-9 would give the Cyclones a rebounder and rim protector it sorely needs, will have to wait at least a few more days as he won't play against Milwaukee.

TIP-INS

1. Talley, who played two seasons at Old Dominion and averaged 11.3 points last season, posted his 32nd career game in double figures in the opener for Iowa State.

2. Brett Prahl, the lone senior to start the opener for Milwaukee, has shot 66 percent from the field for his career.

3. Prohm, who posted a .782 winning percentage in four seasons at Murray State, is seeking his third 20-win season with the Cyclones.

PREDICTION: Iowa State 79, Milwaukee 69