It might not be Kansas or Oklahoma, but Iowa State is still one of the 10 currently undefeated teams from the powerful Big 12 Conference.

The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team is treating the Cyclones like a national power.

"In Big 12 basketball, every team is good," Hawai'i junior forward Roderick Flemings. "Considering we lost a couple games we shouldn't have already, this would be a big win right here."

The Rainbow Warriors will host Iowa State tonight at the Stan Sheriff Center in a matchup of well-practiced teams.

Hawai'i is 1-2, and playing for the first time since last week's late-night Monday/early-morning Tuesday victory over Idaho State on ESPN.

"The guys were excited about that, which is fine," Hawai'i head coach Bob Nash said. "But we had to remind them that we're still 1-2 and we have a lot of work to do, and I think they understood pretty quick what kind of a challenge we're facing (tonight)."

Iowa State is 3-0 after winning the World Vision Classic, which it hosted in Ames, Iowa, Nov. 14 to 16. The Cyclones beat UC-Davis, Loyola Marymount and Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

In those three victories, Iowa State held its opponents to a .335 field-goal percentage, and an average of 58.0 points per game.

"They pack it in and make you shoot jump shots," Nash said of the Cyclones' defense. "They don't beat themselves. They just stay solid in their defense."

What's more, Iowa State has had time to adjust and prepare in Honolulu. The Cyclones arrived on Friday, and had three practices to prepare for the 'Bows.

"This is unusual, but we planned it that way," Iowa State head coach Greg McDermott said. "We wanted to get out here and spend some time together, and I think anytime you make that trip (to Hawai'i), it's important to have a couple of days for your body to adjust."

The 'Bows have had a full week to prepare, just not in the Sheriff Center because of the Western Athletic Conference volleyball tournament. They practiced in Klum Gym yesterday.

"There's no excuses," Hawai'i junior forward Bill Amis said. "We had a whole week to prepare for these guys. We have to be ready."

Amis and Hawai'i's other big men are prepared for a battle with Iowa State's taller post players.

The Cyclones are led by Craig Brackins, a 6-foot-10 sophomore forward. He averaged 17.0 points and 3.7 rebounds per game and was named most valuable player of the season-opening tournament.

"He's versatile in that he can score both on the block and facing the basket," McDermott said. "He made some good strides from a year ago, what I thought was a really good freshman season. He's someone we're counting on to have a big year for us."

Alex Thompson, a 6-10 senior, starts alongside Brackins. The Cyclones also have 6-11 Jamie Vanderbeken and 6-11 Justin Hamilton in reserve.

Vanderbeken leads the team in rebounding with 6.7 per game, but is also 6 of 13 (42.9 percent) from 3-point range.

"Iowa State presents challenges from all over the court," Nash said. "They're big, and can beat you inside. But they also shoot a lot of 3s and can get you from the outside."

The 'Bows may try to out-quick the Cyclones, especially with a lineup featuring Kareem Nitoto at point guard, Flemings at shooting guard, Adhar Mayen and Brandon Adams at forwards, and Amis at center.

Guards Lasha Parghalava and Leroy Lutu Jr., and post players Petras Balocka and Paul Campbell are also expected to see action.

"We're kind of still searching for an identity," Amis said. "But it's still early, and this is the kind of game that can really get us going for the rest of the year. We're looking at them as a good team from the Big 12, and we'd like to get the upset win."