Kansas State let an opportunity slip away against Nebraska in Lincoln on Tuesday, putting the Wildcats in a position where they must take care of business down the stretch to earn the program's first NCAA Tournament berth in more than a decade. Saturday's game against Iowa State represents another very winnable contest; can the Wildcats get back on track on their home floor?

Hardwood Analysis: Iowa State (13-12, 4-7) vs. Kansas State (18-8, 7-4)
Saturday, Feb. 17
Bramlage Coliseum, Manhattan, Kan.

Backcourt
The dish: Perhaps the biggest bright spot for the Cyclones this season has been the play of junior college transfer Mike Taylor, a 6-foot-2 shooting guard who's averaged 16.7 points a game. Taylor is a bit streaky and struggled heavily in the first half of ISU's 69-60 loss to K-State in Ames earlier this year, but he exploded in the second half and finished with 21 points against the Wildcats. Taylor is by far the biggest threat ISU possesses in its backcourt. The point guard duties are shared by 6-foot-2 freshman Dodie Dunson and 6-foot junior Corey McIntosh. The play of K-State's backcourt has been up and down at times, and it was most certainly down in the loss at Nebraska. The Wildcats need to get more offensive production from the likes of Lance Harris and Clent Stewart even if Blake Young and Jermaine Maybank are going to continue to see increased playing time. Taylor may go cold at times, but he still can be counted on to produce on the offensive end virtually every time out.
EDGE: IOWA STATE

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