AMES - Xzavion Mitchell’s black eye was the most visible reminder of how hard Iowa State goes at it every day.
The 6-foot-6, 215-pound forward took a hit in practice when he and teammate Leon Bond collided while working through a flare screen. The result was a bruised eye, but also a bigger role in Tuesday’s 84-47 win over Southern, when Mitchell logged a career-high 11 minutes. He made the most of it, scoring three points and grabbing two rebounds in his first double-digit-minute outing as a Cyclone.
“So I tried getting over a flare screen (in practice) and me and (teammate Leon Bond) collided,” Mitchell said. “His head ended up hitting my eye. Not enough for stitches.”
The injury came with a purpose. Mitchell has been one of the players earning trust in a program where practice habits matter just as much as game production, and Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger said that consistency is what put him on the floor.
“(Mitchell’s) been an everyday guy,” Otzelberger said. “There’s been a consistency that’s shown up for him on the court, so we felt great about giving him that opportunity. To me, that’s earned on the practice court through your daily habits.”
That approach fits the way Otzelberger wants his team to operate. He recruits players who can handle the physical demands of his practices and bring the same edge on both ends of the floor.
The defense is the foundation, and the offense is supposed to grow out of that effort. Iowa State is still chasing that full balance, which is part of why Otzelberger has been leaning on a deeper rotation than usual.
“We want to be a team that can really, when you watch us, we’re just playing free, right?” Otzelberger said.
“We’re just playing with confidence. We’re playing free.
There’s not a lot of indecision, not a lot of thinking. I think that’s something we’re still aiming for and I think it’s gotten better each time out.”
The Cyclones showed that defensive edge against Southern, forcing 30 turnovers. Jamarion Batemon, Tamin Lipsey and Ryan Prather Jr. each had four steals, while Blake Buchanan added three. That kind of pressure is at the center of Iowa State’s identity, creating live-ball turnovers and chances to run.
“Whenever we do the things we’re supposed to do, turn people over, it gives us a lot more opportunities to get out and get in transition,” said Tre Singleton, who leads the team with 19.3 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. “It’s really fun, as you saw (against Southern). Makes it a lot easier on us, too.”
Mitchell’s eye was still lightly bandaged a couple of days later, a small sign of the wear and tear that comes with the job. He’s taking it in stride, and he’s keeping his focus on what comes next as Iowa State prepares for Niagara at noon Sunday in a nonconference doubleheader at Hilton Coliseum. The men’s game will be followed by the Iowa State women’s matchup with Illinois-Chicago.
“Obviously it feels good, but at the end of the day, whatever my opportunity is - if I’m getting the same minutes or I’m not - I always want our team to have the best success,” Mitchell said. “So just being ready for the opportunity, getting ready for the next game, I think that’s the biggest thing.”
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Even with his name surfacing in Heisman Trophy conversations, Flora has kept the focus on the bigger picture rather than the spotlight. His rise has been one of the seasons more compelling stories for the Cyclones, not just because of the production, but because of the way he has carried himself while turning into one of the leagues most productive backs. [Read more 🡒]