Iowa State forward Milan Momcilovic has sustained a hand injury during practice this week, putting him out of action indefinitely. This setback is particularly significant for the Cyclones as they gear up to face off against No. 9 Kansas in an important Big 12 matchup on Wednesday night.

Momcilovic has been a vital part of the Cyclones’ roster, starting in all but one game this season. As the team enters this high-stakes contest with a record of 14-1 and boasting a nation-leading 11-game winning streak, the absence of the sophomore player will be keenly felt. He has been contributing an average of 10.3 points and 3.5 rebounds over nearly 25 minutes of play per game. His sharpshooting, especially his 44% shooting from deep, has been critical for Iowa State’s offensive strategy in spreading the floor.

In light of Momcilovic’s injury, the Cyclones are expected to increase their reliance on Nate Heise, a transfer from Northern Iowa, who is averaging 4.1 points this season. Additionally, Brandton Chatfield, who transferred from Seattle, has been performing well in recent games since the conference season commenced.

This week, Iowa State has climbed to the No. 2 spot in the AP Top 25 rankings, marking the highest position in the program’s history, underscoring the significance of this season for the Cyclones.