Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Having missed consecutive games for the first time in his BYU career, guard Tyler Haws says that a lower abdominal strain he suffered against Stanford is "feeling a lot better," and will allow him to suit up against No. 21 Iowa State Wednesday night at the Marriott Center.
"I think I'm going to play," said Haws after Tuesday's practice in Provo. "I practiced today, so I'll be ready to go."
Asked if he still feels pains from the injury, Haws said "a little bit. I can still feel it, but not to where I can't go. It's feeling a lot better than it did last week."
"I'm expected to play, and I want to play. Hopefully it responds tonight. I'm looking forward to playing."
Haws participated in every segment of BYU's day-before-the-game practice at full speed, as did teammate Kyle Collinsworth, who left Saturday's win over Colorado Mesa with a sore hip suffered in a late-game collision.
"I feel good," said Collinsworth on Tuesday. "I'm ready to roll."
Head coach Dave Rose says "we got everybody in practice today so hopefully we all feel good tomorrow. Tyler got to practice today, which is good."
"He's a big-game player," Rose said of Haws. "Hopefully he feels well enough to play how he wants to play tomorrow."
*******
The 3-0 Cyclones meet the 4-0 Cougars for the sixth time, but the first time at the Marriott Center. Wednesday night's visit is the back half of a home-and-home series that started last season at Hilton Coliseum in Ames. Iowa State won the game 83-62, after taking a 48-37 lead into the locker room at halftime.
Fred Hoiberg's team is coming off a homecourt win over then-No. 7 Michigan on Sunday; the victory catapulted the Cyclones into the Top 25 for the first time since the 2001-12 season; the No. 21 ranking is the highest for Iowa State since 2000-01.
"It's a little bit early for both of us," said Rose of the November meeting, "but it's a good time (for the game). The students are here, and hopefully it will be a good crowd."
*******
Both Iowa State and BYU enter the game with seven players averaging seven-plus points per game; both teams have five players averaging double-figure scoring.
"He's got himself a nice group of guys," said Rose of Hoiberg's 2013-14 squad. "Really consistent from the three-point line, and he's got his best player back."
Forward Melvin Ejim returned from injury to post 22 points and nine rebounds in the weekend win over the Wolverines; Ejim was voted co-Big 12 Player of the Week for his efforts.
*******
You can hear post-practice interviews with Rose, Haws, Collinsworth, point guard Matt Carlino and center Eric Mika, in "Cougar Cuts," above left.
*******
Wednesday night's game tips at 7:30 p.m. in the Marriott Center; pregame coverage starts at 6:30 on KSL Newsradio 102.7 FM and 1160 AM.
*******
