The 17th-ranked Wildcats (14-1, 1-1 Big 12 Conference) will take on the Cyclones of Iowa State (13-3, 1-1) Saturday afternoon at home after suffering their first loss of the season to Oklahoma.
Following the loss, K-State will face a much different team from the team it faced Wednesday in Norman, and head coach Deb Patterson said it will be beneficial for her team to experience a different look.
"We have a new mindset about preparation, we're focused in on our opponent and that is what it requires," Patterson said.
Iowa State has won eight of its previous nine games but is coming off a 68-57 loss to the Baylor Bears Wednesday night. The Cyclones come into Saturday's match-up ranked 20th in the nation.
Despite the loss to Oklahoma on Wednesday, Patterson said she feels her team is where it needs to be heading into the tough Big 12 schedule.
"I'm really happy with where we are at," she said. "I just want us to continue to improve and understand the long nature of this league. You have to just keep getting better every night out."
The Cyclones have had troubles on the road this season, compiling a 2-3 road record. However, K-State senior point guard Shalee Lehning said Iowa State will be more of a shooting threat then what the Wildcats saw in Norman against the Sooners and their impressive post play.
"They (Iowa State) have great shooters," Lehning said. "They kind of resemble us in a lot of ways. We have a lot of respect for them since they always play us well at home. We definitely have to contain their shooters."
The Wildcats are 7-0 at Bramlage Coliseum this year and are currently on a nine-game winning streak at home dating to last season. In the program's history, the Wildcats are 215-78 (.734) in Big 12 games at Bramlage Coliseum.
"It means everything to come off the road after a loss and playing the number three team in the country," Patterson said. "It's exciting to know we have a Saturday game. It's exciting to know we are coming off a game with 7,000 fans and that the house was rocking, and we know we are playing a top 20 team in Iowa State
"We are very hopeful we get a great student crowd and a great community crowd, because you need it in this league to win at home," she said.
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