Iowa State didn't specifically address the scrutiny Kansas State has faced since unruly fans poured onto the floor following an upset victory earlier this week.
The 12th-ranked Cyclones simply are focused on not giving the Bramlage Coliseum crowd a reason to celebrate again.
Iowa State looks to avoid a 12th loss in its last 14 visits to Manhattan as it tries to bounce back against the Wildcats on Saturday.
The Cyclones (20-7, 10-5 Big 12) are tied with West Virginia and Oklahoma for second place, one game behind No. 8 Kansas. They missed an opportunity to share the lead by falling 79-70 at home to No. 19 Baylor on Wednesday, two days after Kansas State upset the visiting Jayhawks 70-63.
Jameel McKay scored a season-high 21 points for Iowa State, which had its three-game winning streak snapped.
"You would have thought with what was at stake that we would have come out of the locker room with great urgency," coach Fred Hoiberg said.
Now the Cyclones, who haven't dropped two straight all season, are trying to turn the page.
"I don't doubt this group," Hoiberg said. "We've bounced back from tough losses very well. We've got some learning to do from this one, but we'll move on and get ready for Kansas State."
The Wildcats (14-15, 7-9) improved to 12-4 at home with the win over Kansas and often have fed off the Bramlage crowd. However, the school was reprimanded by the Big 12 after one fan threw a shoulder into a Jayhawks player and the celebratory mob pinned Kansas coach Bill Self against the scorers table following the game.
Kansas State coach Bruce Weber chided some of the crowd's actions, but he still was appreciative of the support.
"It was an unbelievable atmosphere," Weber said. "I am happy for these guys, but I am really happy for K-State because I know how important of a night this is."
The Cyclones have lost in their last two trips to Manhattan.
"It's a tough place to get a rhythm going. Their fans do a great job of making you feel uncomfortable there," leading scorer Georges Niang said. "You need to just focus and have composure."
Iowa State has three games remaining as it looks to catch the Jayhawks.
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"We have an opportunity to go out there and win the rest of our games," Niang said. "Saturday's not going to be an easy one, so we're definitely going to have to bring our hard hat and go at them."
Kansas State likely will miss the NCAA Tournament for the first time in six years after dropping seven of eight prior to beating Kansas. Nigel Johnson scored a career-high 20 points off the bench and Nino Williams, who had a career-best 22 in the first meeting with the Cyclones, added 15.
"We have got to come together," Weber said. "You are going to regret it in the future if you do not, and the opportunities are slipping away. I have talked all year about not dwelling on the past and not dreaming of the future, but focusing on today. I think that they focused (against Kansas) on how they could be successful."
Iowa State has won six of the last eight meetings after a 77-71 home win over Kansas State on Jan. 20.
