Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger says the focus has been on fundamentals as the Cyclones get ready for Tuesday night’s game at home against Central Florida. After a 16-0 start, The Cyclones dropped road games at Kansas and Cincinnati and have fallen seven spots to ninth in the latest AP Top 25.

Otzelberger says the Cyclones need to get back to things that had them winning.

Otzelberger says part of their issues is playing in the Big 12.

Otzelberger says the challenges ahead in Big 12 play are not getting any easier.

Like the Cyclones, Central Florida is 3-2 after a home loss to top ranked Arizona.

Otzelberger says it will take a big effort to get the win.

Senior guard Nate Heise says the struggles of last week were more about what the Cyclones did not do than what the opponents were doing.

Heise says the defensive intensity slipped last week.

Heise says the problems on defense have hurt the offensive end of the court.