Iowa State could not have picked a worse time to lose its top two scorers, Curtis Jones and Keshon Gilbert, for a game. The Cylones must cope with defensively ravenous Houston minus a collective 31 ppg. What's more, Gilbert plays point guard expertly. The visitors must rely in part on guard Tamin Lipsey, who is shooting with a broken thumb. Houston has lost once in its last 19 outings and once in two seasons at home. A Coogs' straight-up victory seems a given. They should be able to suffocate Iowa State's stripped-down squad enough to cover.