Iowa State men’s basketball: Two Cyclones receive Big 12 weekly awards

Naz Long and DeAndre Kane were the two highlight players for the Iowa State Cyclones as they cruised to their first victory of the season against UNC-Wilmington. They’re also two of the first three players given Big 12 weekly awards in men’s basketball.

Feb 4, 2013; Ames IA, USA; Iowa State Cyclones coach Fred Hoiberg talks to his players during their game with the Oklahoma Sooners in the second half at Hilton Coliseum. Iowa State beat Oklahoma 83-64. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

Long received the Phillips 66 Big 12 Player of the Week award and Kane won one of the two Phillips 66 Big 12 Newcomers of the Week awards.

For those that missed it, Long was lights out from 3-point range, nailing eight of the team’s 15 perimeter shots, and finished with 26 points.

"The sophomore guard was 9-of-12 (.750) from the field, including 8-of-11 (.727) from 3-point range.  The eight 3-pointers ties for the third-most school history by any Iowa State player.  During his freshman campaign last year, Long scored a total of 25 points and made five 3-pointers for the entire season."

If the Cyclones were in a more competitive game, Kane would have easily grabbed a triple-double, finishing with 13 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists in approximately 25 minutes of action. Instead, it was his seventh career double-double. His 11 rebounds tied his career high, and for averaging 52.1 perfect at the free throw line last year, he did pretty well making all five of his attempts in the game.

Ryan Spangler from Oklahoma won the other newcomer award with 15 points, 12 rebounds, and zero turnovers in the win over Alabama.